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The developing limb and the control of the number of digits
Author(s) -
Talamillo A,
Bastida Mf,
FernandezTeran M,
Ros Ma
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2005.00404.x
Subject(s) - limb development , polydactyly , numerical digit , deformity , lower limb , hand deformity , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , biology , surgery , genetics , arithmetic , mathematics , gene
Congenital malformations of the limbs are among the most frequent congenital anomalies found in humans, and they preferentially affect the distal part – the hand or foot. The presence of extradigits, a condition called polydactyly, is the most common limb deformity of the human hand and is the consequence of disturbances in the normal program of limb development. However, despite the extensive use of the developing limb as a classical developmental model, the cellular and genetic mechanisms that control the number and identity of the digits are not completely understood. The aim of this review is to introduce the reader to the current state of knowledge in limb development and to provide the necessary background for an understanding of how deviations from the normal developmental program may lead to polydactyly.