Principles of ontogenesis of leg and foot in man

Human leg and foot anlagen of different developmental stages were studied by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. The findings were compared with principles of human arm and hand development and results obtained experimentally from chicken limbs. The limbs studied have in common the shaping, cell differentiation, and spatial arrangement of different cells as basic processes of development. On the other hand, upper and lower limbs are very different in human and avian embryos with regard to their position, form, and function. We found that the different positions in relation to the dorsal and ventral surfaces and maintenance of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) are important factors leading to the different orientations and forms of limbs. The unequal length of the fingers and toes might also be explained in this way. Differences in the position of the most distal muscles in the hand and foot could be a consequence of the cranio-caudal sequence of development. The factors controlling the developmental differences between arm and leg are discussed.