Congenital aglossia with situs inversus totalis--a case report

How to make a tongue: Cellular and molecular regulation of muscle and connective tissue formation during mammalian tongue development

The vertebrate tongue is a complex muscular organ situated in the oral cavity and involved in multiple functions including mastication, taste sensation, articulation and the maintenance of oral health. Although the gross embryological contributions to tongue formation have been known for many years, it is only relatively recently that the molecular pathways regulating these processes have begun to be discovered. In particular, there is now evidence that the Hedgehog, TGF-Beta, Wnt and Notch signaling pathways all play an important role in mediating appropriate signaling interactions between the epithelial, cranial neural crest and mesodermal cell populations that are required to form the tongue. In humans, a number of congenital abnormalities that affect gross morphology of the tongue have also been described, occurring in isolation or as part of a developmental syndrome, which can greatly impact on the health and well-being of affected individuals. These anomalies can range from an absence of tongue formation (aglossia) through to diminutive (microglossia), enlarged (macroglossia) or bifid tongue. Here, we present an overview of the gross anatomy and embryology of mammalian tongue development, focusing on the molecular processes underlying formation of the musculature and connective tissues within this organ. We also survey the clinical presentation of tongue anomalies seen in human populations, whilst considering their developmental and genetic etiology.

Oromandibular-limb Hypogenesis Syndrome Type II C: A Rare Case

The oromandibular-limb hypogenesis syndrome comprises a group of anomalies which simultaneously affect the mandible, tongue, and maxilla with or without reductive limb anomalies. It is characterized by failure of development of the intraoral region and distal extremities. Multiple and variable deformities of the mandible, maxilla and tongue may occur in combination with a variety of limb defects. The wide range of presentation and combination of anomalies make classification difficult. They usually feature primarily in sporadic case reports because of their low incidence. The genetic origin of this syndrome is uncertain. It is congenital and there seems to be no sex predilection. The key radiographic features are retruded mandible, impacted teeth and malformed phalanges. When compared to available literature, frequently reported features like hypodontia, hypoglossia, microstomia, protruded maxilla and limb anomalies were present in our case. The case presented here is one of the rarest subtypes of this rare syndrome.

Situs inversus totalis and congenital hypoglossia

Hypoglossia is a rare congenital malformation, occurring either as an isolated malformation or in association with other deformities, particularly limb defects. We describe a female infant with congenital hypoglossia, micrognathia and situs inversus. The main complications were airway compromise and feeding difficulties requiring tracheostomy and gastrostomy. Situs inversus and hypoglossia have been reported together on six previous occasions, with all cases being sporadic. Situs inversus-hypoglossia falls into a spectrum of aetiologically non-specific developmental field defects that includes the Aglossia-adactylia spectrum and the Agnathia-holoprosencephaly spectrum. Situs inversus-hypoglossia may represent a mild form of Agnathia-holoprosencephaly.