Skeletal System

Reflecting recent advances in the understanding of how bone and cartilage are shaped and positioned within the developing embryo, this book outlines what is known about the development, biology, and evolution of the vertebrate skeleton. Patterning of bone in vertebrates is the focus of chapters on limb, craniofacial, and spine patterning. Another theme, the control of differentiation, is covered in chapters on the transcription factors and signaling molecules that control differentiation programs at a molecular level. A third theme, bone and cartilage terminal differentiation and remodeling, is covered in chapters on bone mineralization and processes in the extracellular matrix. There is also material on the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton and the genetics of human skeletal disease. The book will be useful as a reference for developmental biologists and clinicians wishing to learn how the skeleton is built. Color microimages and illustrations are included. The editor is affiliated with Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)