This presentation will discuss:
· Cerebral development
· First trimester anatomy
· Second trimester anatomy
· Cortical development
· Some malformations of cortical development.

Fetal cerebral development can be assessed by ultrasound in the first trimester. In the first trimester, normal appearances should not be mistaken for disorders. Some disorders such as hydrocephaly, anencephaly and holoprosencephaly can be detected.

In the second trimester, sulci and gyri form and their regular development can be assessed starting as early as 18 weeks. Familiarity with development of the brain and cortex can allow suspicion and detection of some cases of abnormal development as early as 20 - 23 weeks. These include lissencephaly such as type I (Miller-Dieker) and type II (congenital muscular dystrophy Walker-Warburg).