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Facial Muscle Ontogenesis in Human Fetuses With & Without Cleft Lip/palate
Author(s) -
Rogers Carolyn Ruth,
Mooney Mark P.,
Smith Timothy D.,
Marazita Mary L.,
Siegel Michael I.,
Burrows Anne M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.61.2
Subject(s) - fetus , anatomy , medicine , biology , pregnancy , genetics
Malformations of the orbicularis oris (OO) muscle in humans with cleft lip and palate have been well characterized. Given their close relation, it stands to reason that other peri‐oral muscles would suffer similar malformations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomy of these muscles in humans with cleft lip and palate. Stained slides of serially sectioned human fetal heads from individuals with and without cleft lip and palate were examined at 16 and 15.5 weeks of gestational age. The depressor septi (DS), levator labii superioris (LLS), and levator labii superioris alequae nasii (LLSAN) muscles were identified and their cross‐sectional area measured. Average cross‐sectional area was compared on either side in affected and unaffected fetuses. Preliminary results indicate that in the unaffected fetus, average cross‐sectional area (reported as right/left) was: DS (87.7/81.8 um2 ), LLS (153.5/182.3 um2 ), LLSAN (133.8/111.2 um2). For the 15.5 week affected fetus, average cross‐sectional area (reported as affected/unaffected) was: DS (unidentifiable), LLS (33.5/133.0 um2), LLSAN (72.3/96.8 um2). Overall muscle fiber orientation and distribution was disorganized in the area of the cleft, and discrete muscles were difficult to discern. In conclusion, malformations exist in the DS, LLS, and LLSAN muscles in fetuses with cleft lip and palate with overall muscle volume being decreased.