What is the Difference Between Agenesis and Atresia

The key difference between agenesis and atresia is that agenesis is the failure of an organ to form properly during embryonic development due to the absence of primordial tissue, whereas atresia is the absence or closure of a normal opening in a tubular body part.

Agenesis and atresia are two birth defects. Both these conditions can cause complications. However, agenesis refers to the complete absence of anatomical structure together with its primordial precursors, while atresia refers to the absence, underdevelopment, or abnormal closure of a normal anatomical tubular structure or opening.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Agenesis
3. What is Atresia
4. Similarities – Agenesis and Atresia
5. Agenesis vs Atresia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Agenesis vs Atresia

What is Agenesis?

Agenesis is a condition that causes the failure of an organ to develop during embryonic development due to the absence of primordial tissue. There are different types of agenesis, such as agenesis of corpus callosum (failure of the corpus callosum to develop), renal agenesis ( failure of both kidneys to develop), amella (failure of the arms or legs to develop), penile agenesis (failure of the penis to develop), Mullerian agenesis (failure of the uterus and part of the vagina to develop and agenesis of the gallbladder (failure of the gallbladder to develop), eye agenesis (failure of eyes to develop), ear agenesis (failure to develop ear), and dental or oral agenesis (absence of primary or permanent teeth).

Agenesis is caused by different defects in fetal development due to gene mutations, different syndromes, infection, or injury. The symptoms of this condition include epileptic seizures, development delays, feeding problems, headaches, hydrocephalus, high blood pressure, proteinuria, congenital urological defects, vision problems, hearing problems, dental problems, etc.

Agenesis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, X-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, ultrasound, and genetic tests. Furthermore, agenesis is treated through surgeries for anatomical defects, using devices, using specific devices, and psychological therapy.

What is Atresia?

Atresia refers to the absence, underdevelopment, or abnormal closure of a normal anatomical tubular structure or opening. There are different types, including aural atresia (ear canal is underdeveloped), biliary atresia (block or absence of bile duct), choanal atresia (blockage of the back of nasal passage due to an abnormal soft tissue), esophageal atresia (esophagus ends before connecting to the stomach), follicular atresia (degeneration of ovarian follicles), intestinal atresia (malformation of the intestine), pulmonary atresia (malformation of pulmonary valve), tricuspid atresia (absence of tricuspid valve) and vaginal atresia (congenital occlusion of the vagina).

The symptoms of this condition may include jaundice, dark urine, heart problems, swollen stomach or abdomen, enlargement of the liver, vomiting, coughing, trouble breathing, feeding problems, bluish skin, etc. Atresia can occur due to fetal development defects due to infections, coming into contact with certain chemicals, problems with the immune system, and certain genes. Moreover, atresia is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood test, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound echocardiogram, and genetic tests. Atresia can be treated through surgeries to create an opening or repair the abnormal structure in the body, intestinal and liver transplantation, supplemental medications, and dietary changes to support the inflammation in the liver.

What are the Similarities Between Agenesis and Atresia?

• Agenesis and atresia are two birth defects.
• Both these conditions can be caused by fetal development defects due to gene mutations and infections.
• These conditions can cause complications.
• They are treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Agenesis and Atresia?

Agenesis is the failure of an organ to form properly during embryonic development due to the absence of primordial tissue, whereas atresia is the absence or closure of a normal opening in a tubular body part. Thus, this is the key difference between agenesis and atresia. Furthermore, agenesis refers to the complete absence of anatomical structure together with its primordial precursors, while atresia refers to the absence, underdevelopment, or abnormal closure of a normal anatomical tubular structure or opening.

The below infographic presents the differences between agenesis and atresia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Agenesis vs Atresia

Agenesis and atresia are two birth defects that have been present since childhood. Agenesis refers to the failure of an organ to develop during embryonic development due to the absence of primordial tissue, while atresia refers to the missing normal opening of a body part that is tubular in nature. So, this is the key difference between agenesis and atresia.

Reference:

1. “Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “What Is Atresia.” UVA Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Normal Pancreas VS Pancreatic Agenesis” By ChocChocsugarsugar – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tricuspid Atresia” By Niels Olson – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia