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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

==Limb Bud Formation==

==Limb Bud Formation==

The limbs begin as lateral proliferations of the mesenchymal lateral plate mesoderm covered by ectoderm. The lateral plate mesoderm proliferates in a lateral direction along the entire midline, but then stops at the region of the interlimb (area between the limbs).

The limbs begin as lateral proliferations of the mesenchymal lateral plate mesoderm covered by ectoderm. The lateral plate mesoderm proliferates in a lateral direction along the entire midline, but then stops at the region of the interlimb (area between the limbs).

This produces small buds, which will continue to grow and eventually form the limbs. Proliferation of the lateral plate mesoderm cannot sustain entire limb growth; instead the '''apical ectodermal ridge (AER)''' maintains growth. The AER develops as mesenchymal cells in the distal limb ectoderm that has locally thickened by changing their morphology from cuboidal to columnar. It divides the limb into dorsal and ventral halves. The ridge can be seen when looking at the limb bud in a distal to poximal direction. The AER maintains an area of rapidly proliferating cells beneath it, called the '''progress zone (PZ)'''. The rapidly increasing number of cells drives the limb bud out distally, elongating the limb. As cells leave the PZ they differentiate.

This produces small buds, which will continue to grow and eventually form the limbs. Proliferation of the lateral plate mesoderm cannot sustain entire limb growth; instead the '''apical ectodermal ridge (AER)''' maintains growth. The AER develops as mesenchymal cells in the distal limb ectoderm that has locally thickened by changing their morphology from cuboidal to columnar. It divides the limb into dorsal and ventral halves. The ridge can be seen when looking at the limb bud in a distal to proximal direction. The AER maintains an area of rapidly proliferating cells beneath it, called the '''progress zone (PZ)'''. The rapidly increasing number of cells drives the limb bud out distally, elongating the limb. As cells leave the PZ they differentiate.

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===Anterior - Posterior Patterning===

===Anterior - Posterior Patterning===

Anterior - posterior positioning is important in producing the correct number of digits of the correct morphology. An area of mesenchyme exists adjacent to the AER, in the posterior of the distal limb called the '''zone of polarising activity (ZPA)'''. The ZPA produces a '''morphogen'''(substance that induces other cells to change)that works in a ''dose - dependant'' manner. The morphogen diffuses to form a concentration gradient and has different effects on cells depending on it's concentration. Higher concentrations of this morphogen produces posterior digits and posterior digits have more cells than anterior digits. The more cells, the more morphogen produced. The more morphogen, the more posterior the digits. '''Polydactly''' is common in animals, and is due to defects in the ZPA.

Anterior - posterior patterning is important in producing the correct number of digits of the correct morphology. An area of mesenchyme exists adjacent to the AER, in the posterior of the distal limb called the '''zone of polarising activity (ZPA)'''. The ZPA produces a '''morphogen''' (a substance that induces other cells to change) that works in a ''dose - dependant'' manner. The morphogen diffuses to form a concentration gradient and has different effects on cells depending on its concentration. Higher concentrations of this morphogen produces posterior digits and posterior digits have more cells than anterior digits. The more cells, the more morphogen produced. The more morphogen, the more posterior the digits. '''Polydactly''' is common in animals, and is due to defects in the ZPA.

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===Dorsal - Ventral Patterning===

===Dorsal - Ventral Patterning===

*Important for the proper development of both internal and external structures:

Dorsal - ventral patterning is important for the proper development of both internal and external structures; particularly muscles and bones internally and hair, nails and footpads externally. This form of patterning requires control over the ectoderm and mesoderm, although it is the ectoderm which controls dorsal - ventral patterning. It achieves this by coordination of its own patterning with the underlying mesoderm, i.e. the dorsal ectoderm gives rise to dorsal mesoderm. Dorsal - ventral patterning controls the positioning of the AER as it exists at the boundary of the dorsal and ventral aspects.

:Internal - muscle and bone

:External - hair, nails, footpads

*This requires control over the ectoderm and mesoderm.

*It is the ectoderm which controls dorsal - ventral patterning.

**It achieves this by coordination of it's own patterning with the underlying mesoderm i.e. dorsal ectoderm gives rise to dorsal mesoderm.

*Dorsal - ventral patterning controls the positioning of the AER as it exists at the boundary of the dorsal and ventral aspects.

[[Category:Developmental Biology]][[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Developmental Biology]][[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:To Do - Chris Burton]]

[[Category:A&P Done]]