Review of Anatomy of the Head and Neck

The anatomy of the head and neck is a complex and intricate area of the body. This review will focus on the embryological development of this area, considering the structures, processes and growth that occur.

Embryogenesis

Embryogenesis is the process of development in an embryo from fertilisation through to birth. It is divided into two stages; the germinal period and the fetal period. In the germinal period, the zygote created by fertilisation divides and forms a hollow ball of cells, the blastocyst, which implants into the endometrium. This is followed by the differentiation of cells into different layers, including the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Each layer is responsible for the formation of different structures. The ectoderm will form the skin, hair, nails, epidermis, lenses of the eyes, parts of the teeth, nervous system and parts of the inner ear. The mesoderm will form the connective tissue, muscles, bone, cartilage, blood vessels, heart and reproductive organs. The endoderm will form the linings of the digestive and respiratory tracts, as well as parts of the bladder, liver, pancreas and thyroid.

During the fetal period, the cells of the different layers will further differentiate, proliferate and migrate to form the various structures of the body. The head and neck is especially complex, as it contains the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, scalp and upper respiratory and digestive tracts.

Development of the Face

The face develops from the embryonic process known as neurulation, which is the development of the neural tube from the ectoderm. The neural tube will later give rise to the brain and spinal cord. The facial structures begin to form during the fourth week of development, when the frontonasal process and the maxillary and mandibular processes form on either side of the neural tube. These processes will go on to form the face and jaw.

The frontonasal process will form the forehead, nose, eye sockets and nasal cavity. The maxillary and mandibular processes will form the upper and lower jaws. The maxillary process will also form the cheeks, while the mandibular process will form the chin. The mouth will form from the fusion of the maxillary and mandibular processes.

Development of the Scalp

The scalp is formed from the fusion of the ectodermal and mesodermal layers. During the fourth week, the mesoderm will form the bones of the skull. These bones will then grow and fuse together to form the calvaria, the outer layer of the skull. At the same time, the ectoderm will form the skin and its associated structures, including the hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

Development of the Neck

The neck is formed from the fusion of the mesodermal and endodermal layers. The mesoderm will form the muscles, bones, cartilage and ligaments of the neck, while the endoderm will form the linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts. During the fourth week, the mesoderm will form the hyoid bone, which is the only bone in the neck that is not part of the vertebral column.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the anatomy of the head and neck is a complex and intricate area of the body. It develops from the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm layers during embryogenesis, with the face developing from neurulation and the scalp and neck from the fusion of these layers. It is important to understand the embryological development of the head and neck in order to understand the anatomy and physiology of this area.