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Related Concept Videos

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints01:07

Development of the Limb Synovial Joints

Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification01:24

Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue01:27

Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue

Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula01:10

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Chicken Recombinant Limbs Assay to Understand Morphogenesis, Patterning, and Early Steps in Cell Differentiation
08:08

Chicken Recombinant Limbs Assay to Understand Morphogenesis, Patterning, and Early Steps in Cell Differentiation

Published on: January 12, 2022

Growing models of vertebrate limb development.

Matthew Towers1, Cheryll Tickle

  • 1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|December 24, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Limb development in vertebrates relies on pattern formation along key axes. This review reconciles classical embryological models with recent genetic, molecular, and growth discoveries for a comprehensive understanding.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Vertebrate embryology
  • Pattern formation

Background:

  • The developing limb is a key model for studying vertebrate pattern formation.
  • Classical embryology explained patterning along proximodistal and anteroposterior axes.
  • Genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying limb patterning are increasingly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings in vertebrate limb development.
  • To highlight the role of growth in limb patterning.
  • To reconcile diverse models of limb patterning.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of classical embryology.
  • Analysis of genetic and molecular studies.
  • Integration of growth-related findings.

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Generation of Chimeric Axolotls with Mutant Haploid Limbs Through Embryonic Grafting
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Generation of Chimeric Axolotls with Mutant Haploid Limbs Through Embryonic Grafting

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Grafting of Beads into Developing Chicken Embryo Limbs to Identify Signal Transduction Pathways Affecting Gene Expression
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Grafting of Beads into Developing Chicken Embryo Limbs to Identify Signal Transduction Pathways Affecting Gene Expression

Published on: January 17, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Chicken Recombinant Limbs Assay to Understand Morphogenesis, Patterning, and Early Steps in Cell Differentiation
08:08

Chicken Recombinant Limbs Assay to Understand Morphogenesis, Patterning, and Early Steps in Cell Differentiation

Published on: January 12, 2022

Generation of Chimeric Axolotls with Mutant Haploid Limbs Through Embryonic Grafting
07:17

Generation of Chimeric Axolotls with Mutant Haploid Limbs Through Embryonic Grafting

Published on: January 29, 2020

Grafting of Beads into Developing Chicken Embryo Limbs to Identify Signal Transduction Pathways Affecting Gene Expression
11:48

Grafting of Beads into Developing Chicken Embryo Limbs to Identify Signal Transduction Pathways Affecting Gene Expression

Published on: January 17, 2016

Main Results:

  • Classical models provide a foundation for limb patterning.
  • Genetic and molecular data reveal underlying mechanisms.
  • Growth plays a recently highlighted, crucial role in patterning.

Conclusions:

  • A unified model of limb patterning requires integrating classical, genetic, molecular, and growth perspectives.
  • Reconciling these models offers a more complete understanding of vertebrate limb development.