1097-0177/asset/DVDY_left.gif?v=1&s=b87335326ab8ecd1f573539da0b5fa6abef26532)
Research Article
Joint formation in the middle ear: Lessons from the mouse and guinea pig
Article first published online: 19 JAN 2006
DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20666
Copyright © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Issue
Developmental Dynamics
Special Issue: Craniofacial Development Special Issue
Volume 235, Issue 5, pages 1326–1333, May 2006
Additional Information
How to Cite
Amin, S. and Tucker, A. S. (2006), Joint formation in the middle ear: Lessons from the mouse and guinea pig. Dev. Dyn., 235: 1326–1333. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20666
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 APR 2006
- Article first published online: 19 JAN 2006
- Manuscript Accepted: 15 NOV 2005
Funded by
- MRC
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- middle ear;
- malleus;
- incus;
- joint formation;
- mouse;
- guinea pig
Abstract
The malleus, incus and stapes form an ossicle chain in the mammalian middle ear. These ossicles are articulated by joints that link the chain together. In humans and mice, fusion of the ossicles leads to hearing loss. However, in the adult guinea pig the malleus and incus are normally found as a single complex. In this report, we investigate how the malleus and incus form during mouse and guinea pig development. The murine malleus and incus develop from a single condensation that splits to form the two ossicles. Even before a morphological split, we show that the ossicles have distinct genetic identities and joint markers are expressed. In the guinea pig embryo, joint formation is initiated but no cavitation is observed, resulting in a single complex divided by a thin suture. The malleal-incudo complex in the guinea pig is, therefore, not caused by a defect in joint initiation. Developmental Dynamics 235:1326–1333, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.