Bones and Cartilage provides the most in-depth review and synthesis assembled on the topic, across all vertebrates. It examines the function, development and evolution of bone and cartilage as tissues, organs and skeletal systems. It describes how bone and cartilage develop in embryos and are maintained in adults, how bone is repaired when we break a leg, or regenerates when a newt grows a new limb, or a lizard a new tail. The second edition of Bones and Cartilage includes the most recent knowledge of molecular, cellular, developmental and evolutionary processes, which are integrated to outline a unified discipline of developmental and evolutionary skeletal biology. Additionally, coverage includes how the molecular and cellular aspects of bones and cartilage differ in different skeletal systems and across species, along with the latest studies and hypotheses of relationships between skeletal cells and the most recent information on coupling between osteocytes and osteoclasts All chapters have been revised and updated to include the latest research. - Offers complete coverage of every aspect of bone and cartilage, with updated references and extensive illustrations - Integrates development and evolution of the skeleton, as well a synthesis of differentiation, growth and patterning - Treats all levels from molecular to clinical, embryos to evolution, and covers all vertebrates as well as invertebrate cartilages - Includes new chapters on evolutionary skeletal biology that highlight normal variation and variability, and variation outside the norm (neomorphs, atavisms) - Updates hypotheses on the origination of cartilage using new phylogenetic, cellular and genetic data - Covers stem cells in embryos and adults, including mesenchymal stem cells and their use in genetic engineering of cartilage, and the concept of the stem cell niche

Vertebrate Skeletal Histology and Paleohistology summarizes decades of research into the biology and biological meaning of hard tissues, in both living and extinct vertebrates. In addition to outlining anatomical diversity, it provides fundamental phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts for interpretation. An international team of leading authorities review the impact of ontogeny, mechanics, and environment in relation to bone and dental tissues. Synthesizing current advances in the biological problems of growth, metabolism, evolution, ecology, and behavior, this comprehensive and authoritative volume is built upon a foundation of concepts and technology generated over the past fifty years.

World-class palaeontologists and biologists summarise the state-of-the-art on fish evolution and development.

The different aspects of muscle development are considered from cellular, molecular and genetic viewpoints, and the text is supported by black/white and color illustrations. The book will appeal to those studying muscle development and muscle biology in any organism.

With additional chapters covering the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton and the genetics of human skeletal disease, The Skeletal System is a vital reference for developmental biologists and clinicians wishing to learn how the skeleton is built and works.

Pediatric osteology, a medical specialty that has come of age, has contributed to the understanding of adult bone diseases as well. This second edition reference updates the 2003 edition with more emphasis on management as well as new and revised contributions. Thirty chapters present basic information regarding bone development, tools and techniques for evaluation (including a new chapter on radiographic imaging), and the specifics of various diseases. The three editors are affiliated as follows: Francis H. Glorieux (McGill U., Canada), John M. Pettifor (Chir Hani Baragwanath Hospital, South Africa), and Harald Juppner (Harvard Medical School, US). Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).