Agenesis

Agenesis
Specialty	Embryology, Medicine
Symptoms	Absence of specific organs or tissues
Causes	Absence of primordial tissue during embryonic development

Agenesis of the corpus callosum

Agenesis in medicine refers to the failure of an organ or tissue to develop during the embryonic growth and development phase due to the absence of primordial tissue. This condition can affect various parts of the body, leading to different forms of agenesis, each of which is individually named based on the organ or tissue affected.

Overview

Agenesis can affect a variety of organs, leading to the absence or underdevelopment of that organ in the affected individual. This can range from minor cosmetic concerns to severe functional impairments.

Types of Agenesis

Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

• Definition: Failure of the Corpus callosum to develop.
• Implications: This may affect neural communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Renal Agenesis

• Definition: Absence of one or both kidneys.
• Implications: This can affect waste elimination and fluid balance in the body.

Phocomelia

• Definition: Failure of the arms or legs to develop.
• Implications: This affects mobility and functionality of limbs.

Agenesia of vagina

Penile and Vaginal Agenesis

• Definition: Absence of the penis or vagina.
• Implications: This can affect reproductive and urinary functions.

Müllerian Agenesis

• Definition: Absence of the uterus and part of the vagina.
• Implications: Affected females may have primary amenorrhea and may not be able to conceive.

Eye Agenesis

• Definition: Condition where individuals are born without eyes.
• Implications: Leads to complete blindness.

Dental & Oral Agenesis

• Anodontia: Absence of all primary or permanent teeth.
• Aglossia: Absence of the tongue.
• Agnathia: Absence of the jaw.

Partial dorsal pancreatic agenesis CT scan

Ear Agenesis

• Definition: Individuals are born without ears, either partially or completely.
• Implications: Complete ear agenesis leads to total deafness as the inner and middle ears are essential for hearing. If only the outer visible part is affected, called microtia, it can lead to cosmetic concerns and potential hearing impairment, but not total deafness. Other agenesis include dorsal pancreatic agenesis etc.

Implications and Management

Agenesis can have varied effects depending on which organ or tissue is affected. Treatment and management strategies depend on the organ involved and the severity of the agenesis. Some forms might require surgical interventions, prosthetics, or other medical treatments, while others might necessitate lifestyle adaptations or supportive care.

See Also

• Embryology
• Congenital anomalies
• Birth defects

Agenesis Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski