Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
06:51
Author Spotlight: PEGASOS Tissue Clearing Technique to Visualize Bone Remodeling
Published on: August 18, 2023
2.0K
New Insights Into Cranial Synchondrosis Development: A Mini Review
1Department of Signal Gene Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|August 28, 2020
Summary
Cranial base synchondroses are key growth centers. Signaling pathways and transcription factors regulate their development, with gene disruptions causing varied skeletal abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Craniofacial Development
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Synchondroses, crucial growth centers in the cranial base, are formed via endochondral ossification and influence neurocranium and craniofacial bone development.
- Two central cranial base synchondroses, the intersphenoid and spheno-occipital synchondroses, function as mirror-image bipolar growth plates.
- Abnormalities in these synchondroses lead to impaired cranial base elongation and affect adjacent craniofacial structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the developmental processes of cranial synchondroses.
- To elucidate the regulatory roles of signaling pathways and transcription factors in synchondrosis development.
- To highlight the distinct developmental differences between the intersphenoid and spheno-occipital synchondroses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cranial synchondrosis development.
- Analysis of the roles of key signaling pathways: parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH)/parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), Wnt/β-catenin, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF).
- Examination of the involvement of transcription factors (RUNX2, SIX1, SIX2, SIX4, TBX1) and cilium assembly in synchondrosis development.
Main Results:
- Signaling pathways and transcription factors are critical regulators of synchondrosis development.
- Gene disruptions in mice result in abnormal ossification of cranial synchondroses and skeletal elements.
- Distinct and overlapping abnormalities are observed in the intersphenoid and spheno-occipital synchondroses following gene disruption.
Conclusions:
- Cranial synchondrosis development is a complex process regulated by intricate molecular signaling networks.
- Understanding these pathways and transcription factors is essential for comprehending craniofacial development and associated abnormalities.
- The intersphenoid and spheno-occipital synchondroses exhibit unique developmental characteristics and responses to genetic perturbations.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Sutures of the Skull
9.6K
The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
9.6K
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
4.1K
The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
4.1K
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
4.5K
The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
4.5K
01:07Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
2.0K
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...
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...
2.0K
01:17Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
3.5K
As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
3.5K
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
7.6K
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...
7.6K