Three-dimensional reconstruction and cross-sectional anatomy of the thigh musculature of the developing chick embryo (Gallus gallus).

The technique of graphical reconstruction by orthogonal projection of serial sections is used to generate three-dimensional models of embryonic chick thigh musculature at Hamburger-Hamilton ('51) stages 36 (day 10) and 39 (day 13). Unique and conserved anatomical landmarks are described, which can be used to specify position along the proximo-distal axis of the thigh from cross-sectional appearance. These landmarks provide an important reference for both current and future experimentation in which a precise developmental site must be systematically and repeatedly sampled.