the flat bones of the skull develop from

These cells then differentiate directly into bone producing cells, which form the skull bones through the process of intramembranous ossification. This involves the local accumulation of mesenchymal cells at the site of the future bone. The first mechanism produces the bones that form the top and sides of the brain case. The bones of the skull arise from mesenchyme during embryonic development in two different ways. The sclerotomes consist of an embryonic tissue called mesenchyme, which will give rise to the fibrous connective tissues, cartilages, and bones of the body. The most medial of these parts is called a sclerotome. As the somites enlarge, each one will split into several parts. By the fourth week, mesoderm tissue located on either side of the notochord thickens and separates into a repeating series of block-like tissue structures, each of which is called a somite. The tissue overlying the notochord enlarges and forms the neural tube, which will give rise to the brain and spinal cord.

Development of the Skullĭuring the third week of embryonic development, a rod-like structure called the notochord develops dorsally along the length of the embryo. Knowledge of the developmental processes that give rise to the skeleton is important for understanding the abnormalities that may arise in skeletal structures. However, growth, remodeling, and ossification (bone formation) continue for several decades after birth before the adult skeleton is fully formed. The axial skeleton begins to form during early embryonic development. Describe the development of the vertebral column and thoracic cage.Discuss the two types of embryonic bone development within the skull.By the end of this section, you will be able to:

The flat bones of the skull develop from