title: Embryology of the midgut.
abstract: In most textbooks of embryology and pediatric surgery, the puzzling spectrum of midgut "malrotations" is explained by an "impaired" process of rotation of the midgut. However, this "process of rotation" is explained in a rather schematic way and aims more to explain pathologic findings whereas detailed embryologic investigations are still rare in this field. Good animal models which would allow the comparison of normal and abnormal midgut development are missing. In this paper we describe the development of the midgut in form of an atlas. Scanning electron microscopy is used in rat embryos to illustrate the crucial embryologic processes of midgut development. The main result shown in these illustrations is that clear signs of a process of rotation are missing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. roman.metzger@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: Henning C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Fiegel
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kluth
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000196:embryology; D000818:Animals; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology* / Q000601:surgery; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery; D051381:Rats; D012399:Rotation; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000196:embryology