Normal development of the pulmonary veins in human embryos and formulation of a morphogenetic concept for sinus venosus defects
Section snippets
Methods
Twenty human embryos were studied. Gestational age ranged from 4 to 7 weeks and the crown-rump lengths were from 4 to 19 mm. The embryos were obtained by legal abortion and the study was approved by the local medical ethical committee. The embryos were staged according to external landmarks (O’Rahilly and Muller) and no abnormalities were detected. Whole embryos were fixed at room temperature in 4% phosphate buffered formalin solution and embedded in paraffin. The embryos were serially
Four weeks’ gestation, stage 12, crown-rump length 4 mm
In the youngest embryo, the heart is connected to the foregut only at its venous pole (dorsal mesocardium). The right and left omphalomesenteric and cardinal veins drain into the left and right sinus horns, which together form the sinus venosus segment. The sinus venosus is situated caudally and the sinuatrial region is demarcated by a crescent-shaped sinuatrial fold, running ventrally from the right lateral to the left lateral sinuatrial region. The entrance of the sinus venosus is situated
Discussion
Normal development of the pulmonary veins has been studied extensively over the last century, resulting in different observations and theories. In nonhuman mammals, birds, and reptiles, most investigators agree that the pulmonary veins originate from the sinus venosus segment of the heart (“sinus venosus” theory).5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Until recently, there have been no data in the literature to support this theory in humans.
In the present study, we demonstrate that the orifice of the
References (21)
- et al.
Sinus venosus defectsunroofing of the right pulmonary veins—anatomical and echocardiographic findings and surgical treatment
Am Heart J
(1994) - et al.
Cor triatriatumpathologic anatomy and a consideration of morphogenesis on 13 postmortem cases and a study of normal development of the pulmonary vein and atrial septum in 83 human embryos
Am Heart J
(1969) - et al.
Anatomical criteria for the diagnosis of sinus venosus defects
Heart
(1997) Cardiac septation and development of the aorta, pulmonary trunk and pulmonary veinsprevious work in the light of recent observations
The development of the pulmonary vein in the domestic cat
Anat Rec
(1913)On the development of the pulmonary circulation in the chick
Anat Rec
(1916)On the origin of the pulmonary vein
Anat Rec
(1931)Development of the pulmonary veins, with reference to the embryology of anomalies of pulmonary venous return
Pediatrics
(1956)The development of the bronchial veins, with special reference to anomalies of the pulmonary vein
Anat Rec
(1961)- et al.
Development of the pulmonary vein in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Anat Rec
(1988)
Cited by (88)
Congenital Heart Disease: A Clinical, Pathological, Embryological, and Segmental Analysis
2022, Congenital Heart Disease: A Clinical, Pathological, Embryological, and Segmental AnalysisThe morphogenesis and associated anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in sinus venosus defect
2020, Pediatrics and NeonatologyCitation Excerpt :This postulation could reasonably explain why SVD always occurs in association with anomalous drainage of the RPV into the SVC/RA and the resulting unusual IAC.6 The existence of this common wall between the RPV and the right-sided sinus venosus during early embryological development was documented by Shaner2 in 1958 and supported by Blom.25 Moreover, Anderson et al. also agreed on the consistent association of SVD with PAPVD while retaining their LA connection, although their explanation was the veno-venous bridges theory.22,23
Pulmonary Vein and Left Atrial Imaging
2018, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance: A Companion to Braunwald’s Heart DiseaseEpidemiology and Physiopathology of Scimitar Syndrome
2017, The Complete Reference for Scimitar Syndrome: Anatomy, Epidemiology, Diagnosis and TreatmentUnderstanding the spectrum of sinus venosus interatrial communications
2017, Cardiology in the Young