Chondrocranium Explained

Chondrocranium
Latin:chondrocranium

The chondrocranium (or cartilaginous neurocranium) is the primitive cartilaginous skeletal structure of the fetal skull that grows to envelop the rapidly growing embryonic brain.[1]

The chondrocranium in different species can vary greatly, but in general it is made up of four components, the sphenoids, occipitals, otic capsules, and nasal capsules.[2]

In humans, the chondrocranium begins forming at 28 days from mesenchymal condensations and is fully formed between week 7 and 9 of fetal development. While the majority of the chondrocranium is succeeded by the bony skull, some components do persist into adulthood.[1] In cartilaginous fishes (e.g. sharks and rays) and agnathans (e.g. lampreys and hagfish), the chondrocranium persists throughout life.[3] Embryologically, the chondrocranium represents the basal cranial structure, and lays the base for the formation of the endocranium.[4]

Divisions

The portion of the chondrocranium that is associated with the notochord is termed the chordal chondrocranium and is formed from mesodermally-derived mesenchyme. The more rostral portion of the chondrocranium that lie anterior to the notochord constitutes the prechordal chondrocranium, and is derived primarily from neural crest-derived mesenchyme.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Salentijn, L. Biology of Mineralized Tissues: Prenatal Skull Development, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine post-graduate dental lecture series, 2007
  2. Book: Kardong, Kenneth V.. Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution.. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.. 2015. 701.
  3. Kent, G.C & Miller, L. (1997): Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates. Wm. C. Brown Publishers. .
  4. Book: Romer, Alfred Sherwood. Parsons, Thomas S.. 1977 . The Vertebrate Body . Holt-Saunders International . Philadelphia, PA. 216–247. 0-03-910284-X.