Development of mesenteric tissues

• Published in: Seminars in cell & developmental biology Vol. 92; pp. 55 - 62
• Main Authors: Byrnes, Kevin Gerard, McDermott, Kieran, Coffey, John Calvin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2019
• Subjects: Development; Embryology; Humans; Mesentery; Mesentery - embryology; Organogenesis; Tissue; Development; Tissue; Embryology; Mesentery; Organogenesis
• ISSN: 1084-9521; 1096-3634
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.10.005

•The mesentery comprises mesothelial, neurovascular, lymphatic, adipose and mesenchymal tissues.•These tissues mediate transmission of signals between abdominal digestive organs and the rest of the body.•Mesenteric lateralization generates asymmetry and is relevant to congenital abnormalities.•Enteric neural crest cells and primordial germ cells migrate through the mesentery.•Differential growth between intestine and mesentery drive morphological changes.
Mesothelial, neurovascular, lymphatic, adipose and mesenchymal tissues make up the mesentery. These tissues are pathobiologically important for numerous reasons. Collectively, they form a continuous, discrete and substantive organ. Additionally, they maintain abdominal digestive organs in position and in continuity with other systems. Furthermore, as they occupy a central position, they mediate transmission of signals between the abdominal digestive system and the remainder of the body. Despite this physiologic centrality, mesenteric tissue development has received little investigatory focus. However, recent advances in our understanding of anatomy demonstrate continuity between all mesenteric tissues, thereby linking previously unrelated studies. In this review, we examine the development of mesenteric tissue in normality and in the setting of congenital abnormalities.