title: Congenital fusion of bones: radiology, embryology and pathogenesis.
abstract: Congenital fusion of bones of the limbs, a recurrent feature in thalidomide embryopathy, is discussed in terms of embryology. It is deduced that congenital fusion is neither a bone disease nor a cartilage disease, but a disorder of organisation of mesenchyme in the fifth week of life. It is suggested that the organising tissue is the sensory nerve. Hereditary influence is briefly mentioned.
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities; D002356:Cartilage / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000002:abnormalities; D005121:Extremities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000002:abnormalities; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital; D008297:Male; D010521:Periosteum / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000002:abnormalities; D013580:Synostosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013977:Tibia / Q000002:abnormalities; D014457:Ulna / Q000002:abnormalities
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide