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Skeletal System Development

The skeletal system develops from mesoderm and neural crest cells, with the skull divided into neurocranium and viscerocranium, each forming through different ossification processes. The trunk skeleton forms from somites and lateral plate mesoderm, while limb development is regulated by specific genes and involves distinct stages of growth and patterning. Bone formation occurs through intramembranous and endochondral ossification, each governed by unique gene expressions.

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26 views6 pages

Skeletal System Development

The skeletal system develops from mesoderm and neural crest cells, with the skull divided into neurocranium and viscerocranium, each forming through different ossification processes. The trunk skeleton forms from somites and lateral plate mesoderm, while limb development is regulated by specific genes and involves distinct stages of growth and patterning. Bone formation occurs through intramembranous and endochondral ossification, each governed by unique gene expressions.

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SKELETAL SYSTEM

DEVELOPMENT
SKULL
The skull develops from mesoderm and neural crest cells and can be divided into
the neurocranium and viscerocranium.

The neurocranium surrounds the brain and consists of the chondrocranium and
membranous neurocranium.

The chondrocranium develops through endochondral ossification, forming the base


of the skull, while the membranous neurocranium develops through
intramembranous ossification, forming the top part of the skull.

Cranial sutures connect the bones of the skull, and fontanelles allow for brain
growth.

The viscerocranium forms the facial bones and develops from the pharyngeal
arches through both intramembranous and endochondral ossification processes.
TRUNK
1. The somites develop a cavity called a somitocoele which divides them into
dorsal and ventral parts.

2. The dorsal part forms skin and muscle precursors while the ventral part
(sclerotome) develops into the bones of the vertebrae and ribs.

3. The sclerotome segments further to allow space for nerves to exit the spinal
cord and forms the bones of the vertebrae and ribs.

4. The lateral plate mesoderm in the front of the embryo undergoes bone
formation to become the sternum, forming the manubrium, body and xiphoid
process.

5. The ribs then extend and connect to the sternum completing the trunk
skeleton.
LIMBS
1. The position of limb buds is regulated by Hox genes and TBx genes which activate
FGF10, stimulating outgrowth of the limb buds from the lateral plate mesoderm.

2. The apical ectodermal ridge forms at the tip of the limb bud and secretes growth
factors like FGF4 and FGF8 stimulating proliferation in the underlying mesoderm known
as the progress zone.

3. As the progress zone extends distally over time, the mesoderm further away from the
AER differentiates into cartilage and then bone, forming the stylopod, zeugopod and
autopod.

4. Apoptosis of some AER tissue leads to formation of distinct digits while dorsal-ventral
patterning is regulated by the zone of polarizing activity and opposing gradients of
molecules like Wnt7A and Engrailed-1.

5. This patterning directs development of dorsal structures like nails versus ventral
structures like fingerprints.
INTRAMEMBRANOUS VS ENDOCHONDRAL

Intramembranous ossification involves mesenchymal cells directly forming bone


under control of genes like CBFA1 and RUNX2, which stimulate production of bone
proteins and differentiation into osteoblasts.

Endochondral ossification first requires the SOX9 gene to convert mesenchymal


cells into chondrocytes to form a cartilage model that is later replaced with bone.

The two main pathways of bone formation, intramembranous and endochondral


ossification, are regulated by distinct gene expression profiles that determine
whether bone is formed directly from mesenchyme or indirectly via a cartilage
intermediate.

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