Vertebrate Skeletal Development, Volume 133, the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, presents interesting chapters on a variety of topics, with this edition focusing on Craniofacial skeletal development, Regulatory mechanism of jawbone and tooth development, Development of the axial skeleton and intervertebral discs, Stem and progenitor cells in skeletal development, Origin, functioning and morphogenetic activity of limb synovial joint, ECM signaling in cartilage development and endochondral ossification, Sox genes in skeletal development, Wnt-Signaling in Skeletal Development, Gas signaling in skeletal development and diseases, FGF signaling in skeletal development, Bone morphogenetic growth factors in bone development, and more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series - Includes the latest information on Vertebrate Skeletal Development

Bones and Cartilage provides the most in-depth review and synthesis assembled on the topic, across all vertebrates. It examines the function, development and evolution of bone and cartilage as tissues, organs and skeletal systems. It describes how bone and cartilage develop in embryos and are maintained in adults, how bone is repaired when we break a leg, or regenerates when a newt grows a new limb, or a lizard a new tail. The second edition of Bones and Cartilage includes the most recent knowledge of molecular, cellular, developmental and evolutionary processes, which are integrated to outline a unified discipline of developmental and evolutionary skeletal biology. Additionally, coverage includes how the molecular and cellular aspects of bones and cartilage differ in different skeletal systems and across species, along with the latest studies and hypotheses of relationships between skeletal cells and the most recent information on coupling between osteocytes and osteoclasts All chapters have been revised and updated to include the latest research. - Offers complete coverage of every aspect of bone and cartilage, with updated references and extensive illustrations - Integrates development and evolution of the skeleton, as well a synthesis of differentiation, growth and patterning - Treats all levels from molecular to clinical, embryos to evolution, and covers all vertebrates as well as invertebrate cartilages - Includes new chapters on evolutionary skeletal biology that highlight normal variation and variability, and variation outside the norm (neomorphs, atavisms) - Updates hypotheses on the origination of cartilage using new phylogenetic, cellular and genetic data - Covers stem cells in embryos and adults, including mesenchymal stem cells and their use in genetic engineering of cartilage, and the concept of the stem cell niche

Vertebrate Skeletal Histology and Paleohistology summarizes decades of research into the biology and biological meaning of hard tissues, in both living and extinct vertebrates. In addition to outlining anatomical diversity, it provides fundamental phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts for interpretation. An international team of leading authorities review the impact of ontogeny, mechanics, and environment in relation to bone and dental tissues. Synthesizing current advances in the biological problems of growth, metabolism, evolution, ecology, and behavior, this comprehensive and authoritative volume is built upon a foundation of concepts and technology generated over the past fifty years.

World-class palaeontologists and biologists summarise the state-of-the-art on fish evolution and development.

The different aspects of muscle development are considered from cellular, molecular and genetic viewpoints, and the text is supported by black/white and color illustrations. The book will appeal to those studying muscle development and muscle biology in any organism.

With additional chapters covering the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton and the genetics of human skeletal disease, The Skeletal System is a vital reference for developmental biologists and clinicians wishing to learn how the skeleton is built and works.

The first clearly-illustrated, comparative book on developmental primate skeletal anatomy, focused on the highly informative newborn stage.

The intimate relationship between form and function inherent in the design of animals is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the musculoskeletal system. In the bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles of all vertebrates there is a graceful and efficient physical order. This book is about how function determines form. It addresses the role of mechanical factors in the development, adaptation, maintenance, ageing and repair of skeletal tissues. The authors refer to this process as mechanobiology and develop their theme within an evolutionary framework. They show how the normal development of skeletal tissues is influenced by mechanical stimulation beginning in the embryo and continuing throughout life into old age. They also show how degenerative disorders such as arthritis and osteoporosis are regulated by the same mechanical processes that influence development and growth. Skeletal Function and Form bridges important gaps among disciplines, providing a common ground for understanding, and will appeal to a wide audience of bioengineers, zoologists, anthropologists, palaeontologists and orthopaedists.

In this volume, studies of bone growth and development illustrate new methods and insights that enhance the anthropological understanding of skeletal variation.

Evidence generated by a number of genetic studies indicates that growth is regulated by a number of genes and that interference with their expression can have catastrophic effects on the well being of the whole organism. This work covers skeletal development and growth.