Overview of Skeletal Development

Development of cartilage and bone, the core components of the mouse skeletal system, depends on the well-coordinated proliferation and differentiation of skeletogenic cells, including chondrocytes and osteoblasts. These cells differentiate from common progenitor cells originating in the mesoderm and neural crest. Multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors tightly regulate differentiation and proliferation of skeletal cells. In this chapter, we overview the process of mouse skeletal development and discuss major regulators of skeletal cells at each developmental stage.