The First Metacarpal is the Thumb First Phalange: EvoDevo Implications

We examined the status of the first metacarpal bone whose shape, fetal and post-natal development correspond to those of the thumb proximal phalanx. Galen already described this, circa 170 CE. Our radiographic data confirm that the pre-axial (radial or anterior) side of the hand matures, later than the post-axial (ulnar or posterior) side, both, pre- and post-natally. A new perspective on thumb primate and human ontogeny is discussed and comparative observations on the Evolutionary Development (EvoDevo) of the thumb and the first toe are proposed along with a nomenclature honoring Galen's original proposition.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Valenzuela,Carlos, Y, Berríos-Loyola,R, Canals,M
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía 2009
Online Access:http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-95022009000400004
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