The structure of the human occipital bone and possible injuries. The occipital bone of the human and animal skull: photo and structure The occipital bone on the right is where it is

Os occipitale - odd, participates in the formation of the base and roof of the skull. The upper part of the scales of the occipital bone ossifies on the basis of connective tissue, the remaining parts (main and lateral) - on the basis of cartilage. The outer surface of the occipital bone is convex, the inner is concave. The anteroinferior section contains a large occipital foramen, foramen magnum. Four parts are distinguished in the occipital bone: the main part, pars basilaris, two lateral parts, partes lateralis, and the occipital scales, squama occipitalis. Up to 3-6 years of a child's life, these parts are separate bones, and then, growing together, they form one bone.
Main part, pars basilaris - short, thick, quadrangular. It limits the large (occipital) foramen, foramen magnum, oval or round (Yu. V. Zadvornov, 1972). The upper surface of the main part is concave in the form of a gutter and faces the cranial cavity; it forms a slope, clivus, to which the medulla oblongata adjoins. In the middle of the lower outer surface there is a small pharyngeal tubercle, tuberculum pharyngeum. The outer, slightly uneven edges of the main part, together with the stony parts, form stony-occipital fissures, which are filled with cartilage in childhood and ossify with age.
Side parts, partes lateralis - form the sides of the large occipital foramen and connect the main part to the scales. The inner, cerebral surface, at the outer edge, lies a narrow groove of the stony sinus, which, together with the same groove of the temporal bone, forms something like a canal where the lower stony sinus, sul, lies. sinus petrosi inferioris.
On the lower outer surface of each lateral part is the occipital process, condylus occipitalis, for connection with the upper articular surface of the atlas. Behind the occipital condyle is the condylar fossa, fossa condylaris, with a hole in the bottom that leads to the unstable condylar canal, canalis condylaris. On the outer edge of the lateral part there is a jugular notch, incisura jugularis, on which a small intra-jugular process protrudes, processus jugularis. The jugular notch with the same notch on the temporal bone forms the jugular foramen, foramen jugularis, dividing by the intrajugular process into anterior and posterior sections. The jugular vein originates in the anterior, cranial nerves (IX-XI pair) pass in the posterior. Along the jugular processes from the side of the inner surface of the lateral part lies a deep groove of the transverse sinus, sul. sinus transverse. The anterior part of the lateral part contains the jugular tubercle, tuberculum jugulare, back and down from which, between the jugular and occipital processes, lies the hypoglossal nerve canal, canalis nervi hypoglossi.
Occipital scales, squama occipitalis - has a triangular shape, curved, limits the large occipital foramen behind. The lateral edge of the scales is divided into two sections: the upper (lambdo-like margo lambdoideus) and the lower (mastoid, margo mastoideus). In the middle of the outer surface of the scales is the external occipital protrusion, protuberantia occipitale externa. The upper cervical lines diverge from it to the sides, linea nuchalis supreior. Above them are additional high cervical lines, linea nuchalis suprema. From the external occipital protrusion down to the foramen magnum, the external occipital crest, crista occipitalis externa, is directed. In the middle of the segment connecting the large occipital foramen and the external occipital protrusion, the lower cervical lines diverge in different directions, linea nuchalis inferior. Muscles are attached to these lines. On the inner surface of the scales is a cruciform elevation, eminentia cruciformis, in which the internal occipital protrusion, protuberantia occipitalis interna, is located. The cruciform elevation divides the inner surface of the scales into four fossae, the two lower ones contain the cerebellar hemispheres, and the upper ones contain the occipital lobes of the brain. The grooves of the transverse sinus, sul, depart from the cruciform eminence on both sides. sinus transversa - the groove of the superior sagittal sinus goes up, sul. sinus sagittalis superior, and down - the internal occipital crest, crista occipitalis interna.
ossification. The first ossification points in the occipital bone occur at the beginning of the 3rd month of the intrauterine period of development in the connective tissue and cartilaginous parts. There are five ossification points in the cartilaginous part: one in the main part, two in the lateral parts, and two in the cartilaginous part of the scale. In the connective tissue part of the scales there are two ossification points. At the end of 3 months, the upper and lower parts of the scales grow together, and the main part, scales and side parts grow together at 3-6 years of age. The main part fuses with the body

Development and age features of the occipital bone

Anatomy and clinical biomechanics of the occipital bone

The occipital bone is a flat unpaired bone of a spherical shape, bordering: in front - with the sphenoid bone, in front and above - with the parietal bones, in front and below - with the temporal bones, below - with the first cervical vertebra.

The occipital bone has a dual embryological origin: the basilar part is of cartilaginous origin, and the scales of the occipital bone are membranous (membranous). Thus, the occipital bone is involved in the formation of the base and vault of the skull. Prenatally, the occipital bone consists of 4 parts: interparietal scales (2 ossification nuclei), scales of the supraoccipital part of the occipital bone (2 ossification nuclei), 2 condyles (each with one ossification nucleus) and the basilar part (2 ossification nuclei). All parts of the bone are connected by cartilage.

At birth, the cartilaginous connection of the basilar part (body) and the condyles is often injured with the involvement of the hypoglossal nerve in the canal of the same name. Clinically, the defeat of this level can be expressed as a violation of sucking, regurgitation. Perhaps also a traumatic lesion of the foramen magnum with the development of bulbar disorders (R. Caporossi, 1996).

Approximately 5-6 years old. fusion of the scales and condylar parts of the occipital bone occurs. At the age of 7, the condyles and the body of the occipital bone merge. At the same time, the formation of the hypoglossal nerve canal is completed.

occipital scales, squama occipitalis, limits the large occipital foramen posteriorly.

On its outer surface, there are: inion, inion(point corresponding to the external occipital protrusion); lower, upper and highest protruding lines ( linea nuchalis inferior, superior et suprema); external occipital crest, Crista occipitalis externa.

On the inner surface of the occipital scales are distinguished: internal occipital protrusion, protuberantia occipitalis interna; internal occipital crest, crista occipitalis interna; sulcus of the superior sagittal sinus sulcus sinus sagittalis superioris; groove of the transverse sinus (right and left), sulcus sinus transverse; sulcus of the sigmoid sinus (near the jugular notch), sulcus sinus sigmoidei; sulcus of the occipital sinus, sulcus sinus occipitalis.

The internal relief corresponds to the venous sinuses and separates the two upper, cerebral and two lower, cerebellar fossae.

Lateral part (right and left), pars lateralis, located on the side of the foramen magnum foramen magnum. It includes the occipital condyle (right and left), condilus occipitalis, convex and oblique anteriorly and medially. True rotation is carried out here, the condyles glide in all directions. Condylar canal containing the emissary vein. Hyoid canal, oblique anteriorly, perpendicular to the condyle and containing the hypoglossal nerve. Lateral to the jugular foramen is the jugular process, oriented outwards. The jugular process corresponds to the transverse process of C1. The jugular processes are involved in the formation of petro-jugular synchondrosis, which, presumably, ossifies at 5-6 years of age. The internal jugular vein passes through the jugular foramen, through which approximately 95% of the venous blood from the skull is drained. Thus, with blockade of the petro-jugular suture, cephalgia of venous stasis may occur.

Basilar part of the occipital bone, pars basilaris, located anterior to the large opening, square in shape, sloping from top to bottom and from front to back. On the lower (outer) surface of the basilar part is the pharyngeal tubercle, tuberculum pharyngeum. The beginning of the laryngo-esophago-pharyngeal fascia, which is a tube surrounding the neck formations of the same name, is attached to the pharyngeal tubercle. Osteopaths call it the central ligament, it extends to the thoracic diaphragm. The result of its downward tension may be the straightening of the cervical lordosis (reciprocal tension of the nuchal ligament), and one of the possible causes will be gastric dysfunction. On the upper (inner) surface, a slope is determined, clivus, basion (a point corresponding to the middle of the anterior margin of the foramen magnum), two lateral margins articulating with the pyramids of the temporal bones, and an anterior margin articulating with the body of the sphenoid bone.

Rice. Occipital bone (according to H. Feneis, 1994): 1 - large occipital foramen; 2 - basion; 3 - condylar part; 4 - scales of the occipital bone; 5 - mastoid edge; 6 - parietal edge; 7 - occipital condyle; 8 - condylar canal; 9 - canal of the hypoglossal nerve; 10 - jugular process; 11 - intrajugular process; 12 - external occipital protrusion (inion); 13 - cruciform elevation; 14 - internal occipital protrusion; 15 - furrow of the superior sagittal sinus; 16 - groove of the transverse sinus; 17 - groove of the sigmoid sinus.

From a mechanical point of view, the connection between the occipital bone and the eyes is revealed. With damage to the occipital bone, it is often possible to observe a violation of accommodation. On the other hand, when the eyes are affected, dizziness, straightening of the cervical lordosis, and cervicalgia are often detected.

The human skull is represented by a fixed articulation of bones. Allocate the brain and facial parts of the skull. Each of them has its own anatomical features, by which it is possible to determine the sex, age of a person, sometimes even race. For each person, there are options for the formation of bones, which are determined by hereditary data and the influence of external factors. Protrusions, depressions, erasure of the bone may appear, an occipital protuberance is formed on the back of the head. The shape of the skull changes for the following reasons:

rickets suffered in childhood;
acromegaly - elevated levels of somatotropin;
trauma ();
infectious lesions;
benign and malignant tumors.

Anatomical features of the occipital bone

The large occipital foramen, the receptacle of the medulla oblongata, is formed by four elements of the occipital bone. In front of the opening is the basilar part. During childhood, the sphenoid bone joins with it through cartilage. By the age of 20, their fixed fusion is formed.

Inside the cranial cavity, the surface is smooth; the brain stem is located on it. Outside rough, with a protruding tubercle. On the lateral parts are two occipital condyles, each with its own articular surface. Together with the first vertebral bone, they form an articulation. At the base of the condyle, the bone perforates the hypoglossal canal.

The jugular notch, located on the lateral part, together with the formation of the temporal bone of the same name, constitute the jugular foramen. Through it pass the cranial nerves and vein. The occipital part is represented by scales. It performs a protective function. In the center there is an occipital protuberance. It is unmistakably defined through the skin. A ridge runs from the mound to the large hole. On the sides of it are paired nuchal lines - these are the points of muscle increment.

Occipital protuberance in an adult

The Neanderthal man had a characteristic feature - a protruding occipital bone. In this manifestation, it is now very rare. It may be a characteristic feature of the Australians, Lappids, among the inhabitants of the Lancashire region in Great Britain. In another concept, this definition is used to characterize the protruding part of the skull, which has any cause. The most likely are:

injury;
a bite of an insect;
atheroma;
hemangioma;
osteoma.

Injury

Traumatic damage to the bone, accompanied by swelling and the appearance of growth. If a cold compress is applied immediately after an injury, the effects will be reduced. At the site of the injury, swelling develops, a tubercle appears, which hurts when you touch and turn the head. The condition does not require treatment, it goes away on its own.

A bite of an insect

The appearance of a bump is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the form of itching, pain when pressed. Often this is a type of local allergic reaction. Depending on the reactivity of the organism, the tubercle can have a different size. To get rid of use antihistamines, ointments to eliminate itching.

Atheroma

Sometimes a solid painless formation appears under the skin, which tends to become inflamed when an infection enters. It is represented by clogged sebaceous glands. Treatment is carried out surgically.

Hemangioma

If there is a red bump on the back of the head with translucent vessels, then most likely it is formed by a benign vascular tumor. This is usually a feature of the intrauterine laying of blood vessels, with growing up, the tumor may begin to grow. There is a high risk of injury and bleeding. With the help of laser coagulation, surgical excision, cryodestruction, the tumor is removed.

Lipoma

The appearance of a bump on the head in an adult may be due to the development of a lipoma - a benign proliferation of connective tissue. The wen grows slowly, does not pose a danger to life.

Osteoma

A long-growing benign tumor of bone tissue does not grow into neighboring tissues, it is not malignant. It is a hillock in the form of an even hemisphere. Affects young people, but grows over many years.

Osteoma can form an occipital protuberance in a person from a very dense tissue. It does not have a bone marrow and haversian canals penetrating ordinary bone tissue. Sometimes there are another type, in the form of a bone marrow formation, completely consisting of cavities. It is more often formed on the bones of the skull and skeleton, does not affect the ribs.

The tubercles may grow from the outer plates of the skull, then they do not give any brain symptoms. If the process started from the inside of the skull, epileptic seizures and memory impairment may occur.

The reasons for the development of bumps are not fully known. There is definitely a hereditary predisposition. Growth can be provoked by injuries, the presence of diseases such as rheumatism, gout, autoimmune processes, and foci of chronic infection.

Diagnosis and treatment

X-ray methods are used for examination. It is necessary to differentiate osteoma from osteomyelitis and sarcoma. Informative use, which will reflect the nature of education in layers. Histological analysis will show the absence of bone marrow, which is characteristic of an osteoma.

Treatment is carried out only surgically if the tubercle causes concern, causes pain. Sometimes this is only an aesthetic defect, when a person notices occipital protuberances in his mirror, in a photo, which reduces his self-confidence.

It is impossible to carry out preventive measures purposefully. A healthy lifestyle, prevention of infections, prevention of head injuries can eliminate the risk of osteoma.

Occipital bone, os occipitale - odd, participates in the formation of the base and roof of the skull. The upper part of the scales of the occipital bone ossifies on the basis of connective tissue, the remaining parts (main and lateral) - on the basis of cartilage. The outer surface of the occipital bone is convex, the inner is concave. The anteroinferior section contains a large occipital foramen, foramen magnum. Four parts are distinguished in the occipital bone: the main part, pars basilaris, two lateral parts, partes lateralis, and the occipital scales, squama occipitalis. Up to 3-6 years of a child's life, these parts are separate bones, and then, growing together, they form one bone.
Main part, pars basilaris - short, thick, quadrangular. It limits the large (occipital) foramen, foramen magnum, oval or round (Yu. V. Zadvornov, 1972). The upper surface of the main part is concave in the form of a gutter and faces the cranial cavity; it forms a slope, clivus, to which the medulla oblongata adjoins. In the middle of the lower outer surface there is a small pharyngeal tubercle, tuberculum pharyngeum. The outer, slightly uneven edges of the main part, together with the petrous parts of the temporal bones, form petrooccipital fissures, which are filled with cartilage in childhood and ossify with age.
Side parts, partes lateralis - form the sides of the large occipital foramen and connect the main part to the scales. The inner, cerebral surface, at the outer edge, lies a narrow groove of the stony sinus, which, together with the same groove of the temporal bone, forms something like a canal where the lower stony sinus, sul, lies. sinus petrosi inferioris.
On the lower outer surface of each lateral part is the occipital process, condylus occipitalis, for connection with the upper articular surface of the atlas. Behind the occipital condyle is the condylar fossa, fossa condylaris, with a hole in the bottom that leads to the unstable condylar canal, canalis condylaris. On the outer edge of the lateral part there is a jugular notch, incisura jugularis, on which a small intra-jugular process protrudes, processus jugularis. The jugular notch with the same notch on the temporal bone forms the jugular foramen, foramen jugularis, dividing by the intrajugular process into anterior and posterior sections. The jugular vein originates in the anterior, cranial nerves (IX-XI pair) pass in the posterior. Along the jugular processes from the side of the inner surface of the lateral part lies a deep groove of the transverse sinus, sul. sinus transverse. The anterior part of the lateral part contains the jugular tubercle, tuberculum jugulare, back and down from which, between the jugular and occipital processes, lies the hypoglossal nerve canal, canalis nervi hypoglossi.
Occipital scales, squama occipitalis - has a triangular shape, curved, limits the large occipital foramen behind. The lateral edge of the scales is divided into two sections: the upper (lambdo-like margo lambdoideus) and the lower (mastoid, margo mastoideus). In the middle of the outer surface of the scales is the external occipital protrusion, protuberantia occipitale externa. The upper cervical lines diverge from it to the sides, linea nuchalis supreior. Above them are additional high cervical lines, linea nuchalis suprema. From the external occipital protrusion down to the foramen magnum, the external occipital crest, crista occipitalis externa, is directed. In the middle of the segment connecting the large occipital foramen and the external occipital protrusion, the lower cervical lines diverge in different directions, linea nuchalis inferior. Muscles are attached to these lines. On the inner surface of the scales is a cruciform elevation, eminentia cruciformis, in which the internal occipital protrusion, protuberantia occipitalis interna, is located. The cruciform elevation divides the inner surface of the scales into four fossae, the two lower ones contain the cerebellar hemispheres, and the upper ones contain the occipital lobes of the brain. The grooves of the transverse sinus, sul, depart from the cruciform eminence on both sides. sinus transversa - the groove of the superior sagittal sinus goes up, sul. sinus sagittalis superior, and down - the internal occipital crest, crista occipitalis interna.
ossification. The first ossification points in the occipital bone occur at the beginning of the 3rd month of the intrauterine period of development in the connective tissue and cartilaginous parts. There are five ossification points in the cartilaginous part: one in the main part, two in the lateral parts, and two in the cartilaginous part of the scale. In the connective tissue part of the scales there are two ossification points. At the end of 3 months, the upper and lower parts of the scales grow together, and the main part, scales and side parts grow together at 3-6 years of age. The main part fuses with the body of the sphenoid bone mainly at the age of twenty.

The occipital bone of the skull, the photo of which is presented in the article, is unpaired. It is located in the back of the bottom. This element forms part of the arch and is involved in the formation of the base. You can often hear the question from schoolchildren: "Is the occipital bone of the skull - flat or tubular?" In general, all solid elements of the head have the same structure. The occipital bone, like the others, is flat. It includes several elements. Let's consider them in more detail.

Occipital bone of the skull: anatomy

This element is connected to the temporal and parietal by means of sutures. The occipital bone of the human skull includes 4 parts. It is of cartilaginous and membranous origin. The occipital bone of an animal's skull includes:

Scales.
Two articular condyles.
Body.
Two jugular processes.

There is a large hole between these parts. Through it there is a message between the brain cavity and the spinal canal. The occipital bone of the human skull articulates with the wedge-shaped element and the 1st cervical vertebra. It includes:

Scales.
Condyles (lateral masses).
Body (basilar part).

There is also a large hole between them. They connect the cranial cavity with the spinal canal.

Scales

It is a spherical plate. Its outer surface is convex, and the inner one is concave. Considering the structure of the occipital bone of the skull, one should study the structure of the plate. On its outer surface are present:

Protrusion (inion). It is presented in the form of an elevation in the center of the scale. On palpation, it is quite well palpated.
Occipital platform. It is represented by a patch of scales above the ledge.
Vynaya highest line. It starts from the upper boundary of the inion.
Recessed top line. It runs at the level of the ledge between the lower and highest edges.
bottom line. It passes between the upper edge and the occipital foramen.

Inner surface

It contains:

Cruciform elevation. It is located at the intersection of the internal crest and the grooves of the transverse and superior sagittal sinuses.
Internal ledge. It is located at the junction of the venous sinuses.
Inner comb.
Furrows: one sagittal and two transverse sinuses.
Opistion. This is the identification point. It corresponds to the center of the posterior margin of the foramen magnum.
Basion. This is a conditional stitch, which corresponds to the center of the anterior edge of the foramen magnum.

The inner surface of the scales has a relief, which is determined by the shape of the brain and the membranes adjacent to it.

Lateral masses

They include:

Jugular processes. They limit the hole of the same name from the sides. These elements correspond to the transverse vertebral processes.
Sublingual canal. It is located on the side and in front of the occipital foramen. It contains the XII nerve.
Condylar canal located behind the condyle. It has an emissary vein.
Jugular tubercle. It is located above the channel.

Body

It is the very front. From above and in front the body is bevelled. It distinguishes:

bottom surface. It has a pharyngeal tubercle, a site of attachment of the pharyngeal suture.
Two outer lines (edges). They are connected with the pyramids of the temporal element.
Slope (upper surface). It is directed into the cranial cavity.

In the lateral part, a groove of the stony lower sinus is distinguished.

articulations

The occipital bone of the skull is connected to the elements of the arch and base. It acts as a link between the head and spine. As mentioned above, in the considered part of the head, the wedge-shaped element and the occipital bone of the skull are connected. Articulation type - synchondrosis. Attachment is carried out using the front surface of the body. With the occipital articulates with a suture. A conditional point is located at the junction. It's called "lambda". In some cases, interparietal bone is found here. It is formed from the upper part of the scale and separated from it with a transverse seam. The occipital bone of the skull is articulated with the temporal element by sutures:

Petro-jugular. The jugular process articulates with the notch of the same name in the temporal bone.
Petro-basilar. The lateral part of the base is connected to the pyramid of the temporal element.
Occipital-mastoid. The mastoid part articulates with the posterior inferior plane of the temporal element.

With the atlas, the lower convex surface of the condyles is connected to the concave parts of the 1st vertebra of the neck. Here a joint of the type of diarthrosis is formed. It contains a capsule, synovia, cartilage.

Bundles

They are presented in the form of membranes:

Front. It is located between the base of the bone and the arch of the atlas.
back. This ligament is stretched between the back of the first vertebra of the neck and the foramen magnum. It is included in the composition of the corresponding surface of the spinal canal.
Lateral. This membrane connects the jugular process with the transverse vertebral.
Cover. It is a continuation of the longitudinal posterior membrane towards the anterior part of the large opening. This ligament passes into the periosteum of the elements

In addition, there are:

Pterygoid ligaments. They go to the lateral parts of the foramen magnum.
Ligament of the tooth. It runs from the process of the 2nd vertebra of the neck to the anterior border of the large foramen.
superficial aponeurosis. It is attached along the top line.
Deep aponeurosis. It is attached to the base of the occipital bone.

muscles

They are attached to:

On the bottom line are fixed:

Direct back small muscle of the head. It is attached to the spinous process of the 1st vertebra of the neck.
Rear big straight. They are fixed on the 2nd vertebra of the neck.
Oblique superior muscle of the head. It is attached to the transverse process of the 2nd cervical vertebra.

and nerves

The cerebellum is attached to the edges of the transverse groove. The crescent of the brain is fixed with its back. It is anchored at the edges of the sulcus on the superior sagittal sinus. The cerebellar falx is fixed on the occipital crest. Pairs of nerves pass through the jugular foramen:

Glossopharyngeal (IX).
Wandering (X).
Additional (XI). Its spinal roots pass through the foramen magnum.

At the level of the condyles, the XII pair of nerves passes through the hypoglossal canal.

Injuries

The structure of the occipital bone of the skull is such that it is highly susceptible to mechanical damage. However, they can be accompanied by serious, in some cases, fatal consequences. This is due to the fact that the occipital bone of the skull protects the optic nerve. And its damage can lead to a complete or partial loss of the ability to see.

Types of injury

There are the following damages:

Depressed fracture of the occipital bone of the skull. It appears from the mechanical impact of a blunt object. In such situations, usually most of the load falls on the brain.
Comminuted damage. It is a violation of the integrity of the element, accompanied by the formation of fragments of various sizes. This can lead to damage to the brain structure.
Linear fracture of the occipital bone of the skull. It is also a violation of the integrity of the element. In this case, damage is often accompanied by fractures of other bones, concussion and bruising of the brain. Such an injury on an x-ray looks like a thin strip. It separates the skull, namely its occipital bone.

The last damage is different in that the displacement of the elements in relation to each other is no more than a centimeter. This fracture may go unnoticed and not manifest in any way. This injury is especially common in children during active play. If a child has a headache and nausea after a fall, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

A special case

The skull may be damaged, affecting the foramen magnum. In this case, the brain nerves will also be injured. The clinical picture is characterized by bulbar symptoms. It is accompanied by disorders of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The consequences of such an injury are quite serious. This can be a violation of certain functions of the brain, and osteoma of the occipital bone, and even death.

TBI

There are three main types of brain damage:

Shake.
Squeezing.
Injury.

The most common signs of a concussion state include fainting lasting from 30 seconds. up to half an hour. In addition, a person has nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pain in the head. Possible short-term memory loss, irritability to noise and light. With simultaneous damage to the occipital bone and concussion, a complex of symptoms is noted. A slight bruise is manifested by loss of consciousness. It can be short (a few minutes) or last several hours. Speech paralysis is often noted. With a bruise of moderate severity, a poor reaction of the pupils to light is noted, nystagmus occurs - involuntary twitching of the eyes. With a severe degree of damage, the victim may fall into a coma for several days. In this case, compression of the brain may also occur. This is due to the development of a hematoma. However, in some cases, compression can cause swelling or bone fragments. This condition usually requires emergency surgery.

Effects

Trauma to the occipital bone can cause unilateral visuospatial agnosia. Doctors call this condition violations of different types of perception. The victim, in particular, cannot see and understand the space to the left of him. In some cases, people believe that what they have received does not pose a danger to them. However, with any damage to it, regardless of the severity, you must go to the hospital. Any symptoms that do not manifest a condition in the early stages can cause serious consequences.