Chromosomal
Anomalies
Numerical Chromosomal
Abnormalities
Changes in the number of chromosomes:
Polyploidy
Somatic cells contain multiples of haploid number of
chromosomes
3n, 4n, 5n etc.
Aneuploidy (Heteroploidy)
Deviation from the diploid number of chromosomes
2n + 1, 2n -1 etc.
Mechanism of Polyploidy
(a) Failure of pulling apart of 2 chromatids to
opposite ends after metaphase stage of mitosis.
(b) Reduplication of chromosomes without
dissolving of nuclear membrane.
(c) Failure of cytoplasmic division.
Types of Polyploidy
1. Autopolyploidy: even-numbered multiples of haploid
number of chromosomes. e.g.-
(a) Tetraploidy (23x4 or 92 chromosomes)
(b) Hexaploidy (23x6 or 138 chromosomes)
(c) Octaploidy (23x8 or 184 chromosomes)
etc.
Types of Polyploidy
2. Allopolyploidy: odd-numbered multiples of haploid number
of chromosomes. e.g.-
(a) Triploidy (23x3 or 69 chromosomes)-common
(b) Pentaploidy (23x5 or 115 chromosomes)
(c) Heptaploidy (23x7 or 161 chromosomes)
etc.
Mechanism of Aneuploidy
Non-dysjunction: failure of separation of chromosomes during cell
division.
Formation of 2 types of gametes (both abnormal)
Fusion of either of these abnormal gametes with a normal
gamete can result in trisomy or monosomy
May involve autosomes or sex chromosomes
Normal 1st & 2nd Two types of non-disjunction
meiotic division
Trisomies of Chromosomes
Presence of 3 copies of a chromosome
Trisomy of Autosomes (13,18,21)
Trisomy of Sex Chromosomes (XXX, XXY)
Trisomy of Autosomes
Trisomy 13 or D-trisomy (Patau syndrome)
Trisomy 18 or E-trisomy (Edward syndrome)
Trisomy 21 or G-trisomy (Down syndrome)
Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome)
1st described by Bartholin (1657) & redefined by
Patau (1960).
Chromosomal complement: 47,XX,+13 (female) or
47,XY,+13 (male)
Phenotype: Male or female
Incidence: 1:12,000 (increases with the age of
mother)
Features of Patau Syndrome
Mental deficiency Malformed ears
Low birth weight
Congenital heart defects
Abnormal development
Renal tract anomalies
of frontal lobe
Absence of corpus callosum Microphthalmia
Hypoplasia of cerebellum Bilateral cleft lip/palate
Sloping forehead Polydactyly with
Scalp defects rudimentary digits
Rocker-bottom heel
Patau syndrome
Patau syndrome
Trisomy 18 (Edward Syndrome)
Chromosomal complement:
47,XX,+18 (female) or
47,XY,+18 (male)
Phenotype: Male or female
Incidence: 1:8000
Features of Edward Syndrome
Mental deficiency Low-set malformed ears
Growth retardation Ventricular septal defects
Prominent occiput with Renal anomalies
elongated head
Clenched fists with
Webbing of the neck overlapping of fingers
Short sternum Hypoplastic nails
Micrognathia
Edward syndrome
Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
Chromosomal complement:
47,XX,+21 (female) or
47,XY,+21 (male)
Phenotype: Male or female
Incidence: 1:800 (increases with the age of mother)
Features of Down Syndrome
Short height Malformed large ears
Severe mental deficiency with Epicanthal folds of the eyes
decline in the IQ with age
Brushfield spots in iris
Brachycephaly with flat face and
Renal anomalies
occiput
Prominent and protruding
Flat and low nasal bridge
tongue (scrotal tongue)
Upward slant to palpebral fissures
Simian crease
Clinodactyly of 5th digit
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Trisomy of Sex
Chromosomes
Klinefelter syndrome
Triple X syndrome
Double Y syndrome
Klinefelter Syndrome
Chromosome complement: 47,XXY
Phenotype: Male
Incidence: 1:1000
Features of Klinefelter Syndrome
Tall stature; thin build; long Gynaecomastia
lower limbs
Low level of intelligence
Testicular atrophy
Serum testosterone levels low to
Female pattern of pubic hair normal
High pitched voice FSH and LH levels very high
Infertility (aspermatogenesis) Sex chromatin positive
Klinefelter syndrome:
Karyotype
Klinefelter Syndrome
Triple X Syndrome
(Superfemale)
Chromosome complement: 47,XXX
Phenotype: Female
Incidence: 1:1000
Features of Triple X
Syndrome
Normal in appearance Wide-set eyes
Difficulty in speech, learning Amenorrhoea
and emotional responses Expressionless face
Mild mental retardation in 15- Enamel hypoplasia
25% cases Deficient language skills
Two sex chromatin Barr Delayed development of
bodies motor skills
Infertility
Superfemale: Karyotype
Superfemale
Double Y Syndrome
Chromosome complement: 47,XYY
Phenotype: Male
Incidence: 1:1000
Features of Double Y
Syndrome
Normal in appearance
Tall stature
Aggressive behaviour
Problems in motor and language
development
Monosomies of Chromosomes
Presence of only one member of a chromosome pair in a
karyotype
More detrimental than equivalent trisomy
Can involve autosomes or sex chromosomes
Usually abort spontaneously
Monosomy of X chromosome results in XO condition
called Turner syndrome
Turner Syndrome
Chromosome complement: 45,XO
Phenotype: Female
Incidence: 1:5000-8000
Features of Turner Syndrome
Short statured female
Sexual infantilism with primary
amenorrhoea and sterility
Short, webbed neck
Prominent ears with defective
hearing
Small mandible
Defective vision
Features of Turner Syndrome
Epicanthal folds
Low posterior hair line
Cubitus valgus
Broad chest with widely
spaced nipples
Cardiovascular anomalies
Hyperconvex finger nails
Pigmented nevi
Sex chromatin negative
Turner Syndrome: Karyotype
Turner Syndrome
Structural Chromosomal
Abnormalities
Results from chromosome breakage
Followed by reconstitution in an abnormal
combination
Breaks in any chromosome may be induced by various
factors
Structural Chromosomal Abnormalities
Deletion (Deficiency)
Inversion
Translocation
Isochromosome
Ring Chromosome
Deletion
A B C D E F G A B D E F G
Loss of a (generally small) segment of chromosome
C
Deletion
Arise through spontaneous breakage
some chromosomes have fragile spots
radiation, UV, chemicals, viruses may increase
breakage
Deletion
May arise A B C D E F G
through unequal
x
crossing over
A B C D E F G
A B C D E G A B C D E F F G
Deletion Duplication
Deletions in Humans
Cri-du-chat syndrome
Micro deletion of chromosome 5
Di-George syndrome
Micro deletion of chromosome 22
Schizophrenia & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Micro deletion of chromosome 22 associated
Angelman syndrome
Micro deletion of chromosome 15
Prader-Willi syndrome
Micro deletion of chromosome 15
Cri-du-chat syndrome
1st autosomal deletion described
Characteristic cat-like cry, which disappears with age
Microcephaly
Severe mental retardation
Congenital heart disease
Hypertelorism (widely separated eyes)
Low birth weight and poor growth
Severe cognitive, speech, and motor delay
Behavioral problems
Excessive drooling
Cri-du-chat syndrome
Prader-Willi and Angelman
Syndromes
Prader-Willi Syndrome Angelman Syndrome
Lack of muscle tone in Developmentally delayed
newborn Jerky movements
Poor swallowing reflex Stiff, fixed smile
As adult - gross obesity Uncontrolled laughter
Mean I.Q. ~ 50 Abnormal E.E.G., epilepsy
Microdeletion of 15 Microdeletion of 15
Inversion
• 180o reversal of chromosome segment
A B C D E F G H I J K
180O
A B C H G F E D I J K
Inversion
• Produced through breakage and
reassociation of chromosome
D
A B
F G
Inversion
• Produced through breakage and
reassociation of chromosome
A B
F G
Types of Inversion
Paracentric Pericentric
REFERENCES
1. Essentials of Anatomy for Dentistry
Students,1st Edition.
2. Langman’s Medical Embryology,11th
Edition.
3. Human Embryology, 5th Edition.