ectodermal

Ectodermal refers to the ectoderm, the outermost of the three primary germ layers formed during embryogenesis. The ectoderm gives rise to tissues that cover the body and contribute to sensory and neural structures. It is subdivided into surface ectoderm, which forms the epidermis and its appendages, and neural ectoderm, which develops into the brain, spinal cord, and certain sensory organs. Ectodermal derivatives include the epidermis; hair, nails, and tooth enamel; the lens and other components of the eye; the inner ear; and portions of the pituitary and other glands. Neural crest cells, arising from the border of the neural plate, also contribute to several ectodermal derivatives, including certain facial tissues and sensory structures, though they are a specialized lineage within the ectoderm.

Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genetic conditions characterized by abnormal development of ectodermal structures. Clinical features commonly involve sparse or brittle hair, hypodontia or anodontia (missing teeth), poorly formed nails, and abnormal sweat gland function. The most well-known form is hypohidrotic (also called Christ-Siemens-Touraine) ectodermal dysplasia. Diagnosis is usually clinical and genetic, and management is multidisciplinary, addressing dental, dermatologic, and thermoregulatory needs.