Ectomesenchyme

The development of the human face involves extremely complex morphogenetic processes. Several congenital anomalies of the face, including Treacher Collins Syndrome and Cleft Lip and Palate CL[P] are related to the behaviour of neural crest NC cells. Things to think about are:

* The origin of of NC cells
* Pathways of migration
* What happens during migration, ie is this a stable or susceptible period?
* Targets of migration
* What can affect migration? (think of Retinoic acis, ethanol etc).

Look at the figure below and try and remember how clefting of the lip develops. Can you remember when? What is the role of apoptosis here? What dietary factor stabilizes the process? Which ethnic group is most susceptible to CL? Why?
Try and download the article and let me have your comments. Its an old article, so you might want to look at more recent stuff. Post the references here if you find something you think we can learn from.