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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...
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Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

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Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running
06:35

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running

Published on: September 14, 2017

Human heel fat pad development before birth.

Luis Herrera1, Luis Alfonso Arráez2, Laura Flores3

  • 1Department of Radiology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.

Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|June 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human heel fat pad (HHFP) develops in distinct stages, with compartmentalization preceding adipocyte maturation. This study reveals key developmental weeks for understanding congenital foot abnormalities.

Keywords:
Human heel fat padHuman horizontal fibrous bandMorphometryPrenatal development

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Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy
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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running
06:35

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running

Published on: September 14, 2017

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy
06:45

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy

Published on: November 28, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Embryology
  • Anatomy
  • Histology

Background:

  • The prenatal structure of the human heel fat pad (HHFP) is not well understood.
  • HHFP is crucial for foot development and related disorders.
  • It features a honeycomb-like architecture with micro/macro chambers in adipose tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the histological and morphometric development of the HHFP.
  • To emphasize compartmentalization and layer-specific maturation.
  • To identify developmental weeks relevant to congenital abnormalities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of embryonic and fetal specimens (8-34 gestational weeks).
  • Inclusion of specimens with preserved anatomical integrity and no malformations.
  • Histological and morphometric analysis of HHFP development stages.

Main Results:

  • HHFP development classified into three stages (A, B, C) based on structural organization and horizontal fibrous band (HFB) formation.
  • Compartmentalization into superficial subcutaneous microchambers (SSM) and deep subcutaneous macrochambers (DSM) observed in Stage B.
  • Progressive increase in HHFP thickness, with DSM showing greater thickness and adipocyte diameter than SSM.

Conclusions:

  • HHFP development shows rapid growth between weeks 14-17.
  • Compartmentalization precedes adipocyte maturation in a layer-dependent manner.
  • This study provides a structural framework for prenatal HHFP organization, advancing adipose tissue development models.