Morphogenesis of the Vertebrate Intestine: From Form to Function

Vertebrate gut morphogenesis involves complex tissue transformations that convert a simple gut tube into a functionally sophisticated organ with a multilayer architecture optimized for nutrient absorption. The formation of the functional gut requires coordinated development at multiple scales, from cellular behaviors to tissue-level deformations. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of three fundamental aspects of gut development: the formation of the primitive gut tube from embryonic germ layers, establishment of left-right asymmetry driving gut rotation and looping, and radial patterning that generates functional structures like villi and muscles. We discuss how mechanical forces and molecular signals integrate to orchestrate these processes, and we highlight open questions guiding future studies of gut morphogenesis. These insights are critical for understanding congenital gut malformations and developing therapeutic approaches.