Muscle: Development and Regeneration Potential

A muscle cell is a cell that is capable of contraction, producing movement and maintaining position. The development of muscle begins in early embryonic development from the mesodermal germ cell layer. Muscle cells differentiate into three different types (skeletal, smooth, and cardiac), which are suited for their respective activities. Each cell type develops from a different derivative of mesoderm. Skeletal muscle develops from paraxial mesoderm (mesoderm present on either side of the midline). Smooth muscles develop from splanchnic mesoderm around the gut and ectoderm, which forms pupillary, mammary, and sweat glands. Cardiac muscles develop from splanchnic mesoderm around the heart tube. The connective tissue in the region is the key to the pattern of muscle development in all regions of the body. Muscle regeneration is ...