Structure and function of the notochord: an essential organ for chordate development.
The notochord is the defining structure of the chordates, and has essential roles in vertebrate development. It serves as a source of midline signals that pattern surrounding tissues and as a major skeletal element of the developing embryo. Genetic and embryological studies over the past decade have informed us about the development and function of the notochord. In this review, I discuss the embryonic origin, signalling roles and ultimate fate of the notochord, with an emphasis on structural aspects of notochord biology.
Stemple
Derek L
DL
Vertebrate Development and Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK. ds4@sanger.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology; D043344:Chordata; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology; D009672:Notochord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*