Fluid dynamics of establishing left-right patterning in development

Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2008 Jun;84(2):95-101. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20127.

Abstract

How does the clockwise motion of tens of monocilia drive a leftward flow in the node? And, as the observed flow is leftward, how is the fluid recirculating within the node, as it must, because the node is a closed structure? How does the nodal flow lead to left-right symmetry breaking in the embryo? These questions are within the realm of fluid physics, whose application to the problem of left-right symmetry breaking in vertebrates has led to important advances in the field.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Fluids / physiology*
  • Body Patterning / physiology*
  • Cilia / physiology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Vertebrates / anatomy & histology