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This month Campbell et al. study the electroreceptor ribbon synapses in sturgeon lateral line organs. They found that these synapses in non-teleost ray-finned bony fish are glutamatergic, suggesting further commonalities, but also some differences, with hair cell ribbon synapses tinyurl.com/36f8vax2
By using the lateral ligaments of the #ankle at various joint positions, they validate a new approach, which allows for better characterisation of soft tissues for future surgical repair and tissue engineered replacement design. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Another from the Special Issue - @drjzp.bsky.social and colleagues showcase a new methodology for gaining accurate dimensions of soft tissues during #dissection. Many methods overlook the laxity of soft tissue when describing dimensions and use a 'point-to-point- approach.
Also in this special issue, Tomlinson et al., tested whether calcaneal heel spurs strengthen the plantar fascia’s attachment to the heel. Avulsion frequency did not seem linked to the presence of spurs, suggesting they are unlikely to play a meaningful biomechanical function doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Our new paper is out in @journalofanatomy.bsky.social open access!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Together, these contributions reframe connective tissue as a central player in anatomy, biomechanics, and health, highlighting its critical role in how the body moves, withstands force, and responds to its environment. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...
Bringing together brand-new studies, this issue shines a spotlight on connective tissues. These tissues emerge as dynamic, highly specialised systems. The papers reveal how the anatomy and molecular architecture of the ECM leads to mechanical strength, resilience, and adaptability.
This month’s issue of Journal of Anatomy is a standout special edition dedicated to the fibrous framework. We are celebrating the pioneering work of Professor Mike Benjamin, whose research transformed our understanding of connective tissue biology, particularly the part it plays in the enthesis.
Cranial ossification in leopard geckos examined using Alizarin Red staining.
A chart illustrating ossification sequence in leopard gecko crania
New paper in @journalofanatomy.bsky.social with PAD Wise and AP Russell! We show that using morphological criteria to assign developmental stage provides more ossification sequence resolution than embryo size or developmental time (days).
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
#GeckoEvoDevo
@funstonpaleo.bsky.social @agenciafapesp.bsky.social
@uspoficial.bsky.social @uoftpress.bsky.social
@romtoronto.bsky.social @virginiatech.bsky.social
Fresh Friday - Rhynchosaur dentition preserves plesiomorphic amniote tissues, challenging the idea of a “bone of attachment,” suggesting heterochronic shifts in mineralization helped drive gomphosis evolution across multiple amniote clades, including mammals, dinosaurs, and crocodylians
Cranial sutures are overlooked aspects of the mammal skull. Comparing postnatal trajectories in suture shape retrieves plateauing adult complexity for midline sutures. Despite distinct developmental strategies, marsupial and placental suture disparity were found to overlap. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Now available! A new method paper by Rzepliński et al., utilises radiopaque contrast injected into peripheral nerves for subsequent CT scanning. The method produced excellent models of nerves leaving the specimens ready for further analysis: doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Our new issue! 🦇✨features a cover image from Carter's latest study.
Tubercles on the bat pinna reduce drag before stall and increase lift after stall by generating streamwise vortices. These natural surface features likely improve aerodynamic efficiency.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...
Also this month, Šulcová et al., studied how teeth attach to jaws across vertebrates. In veiled chameleons, firmly ankylosed teeth formed via a transient cell type at the tooth–bone interface showing both osteoblast- and odontoblast-like features. The authors call these theorised cells ankyloblasts
Also this month, Manson and @nathanj.bsky.social used finite element modelling informed by neonatal MRI data, to test whether simple mechanical deformation from brain and masticatory muscle growth can predict early cranial shape change, focusing on the basicranium and face doi.org/10.1111/joa....
📢 We’re now on LinkedIn! You can now find the Journal of Anatomy on LinkedIn, as well as here and all the usual places. We’ll continue showcasing the latest research in Development, Evolution and Function, so come find us here 👉
www.linkedin.com/company/jour...
We welcome 2026 with a focus on Dynamic Anatomy. This cover image from Crompton et al., features the pelvis of StW 572, an example of A. prometheus Their new analysis shows human-like pelvic traits and supports multiple modes of bipedalism in early hominins #Paleoanthropology #evolution
Seasons Greetings from all at Journal of Anatomy - watch this space in 2026 for plenty of exciting new findings from the world of anatomical research. We hope you have a peaceful and fulfilling festive period!
Predicting head injury in infants is complicated by large anatomical variability. This study analyzed skull thickness at 12,000+ locations in 266 infants (<12 mo) to identify age/sex-specific anatomical standards based on patterns of skull thickness distribution. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
doi.org/10.1111%2Fjo...
@rjstrauch.bsky.social investigate the mandibular symphysis in whales. Toothed whales exhibited unfused, partially fused, or fully fused symphyses, while baleen whales evolved a decoupled, highly mobile symphysis that represents a novel condition unobserved in other mammalian clades.
This month's cover image comes from the work of @aaronhgriffing.bsky.social and colleagues, looking at the development of hemibacula. They’re chondroid-like, appear after sexual maturity, grow isometrically, and likely evolved via peramorphosis. Weird, wonderful genital bones!
🐘🦣 The vertebral column of elephants is a marvel of biological engineering. The remarkable functional morphology and intervertebral mobility of the elephant backbone is explored here, comparing it with that of other large herbivores and their extinct relatives 🐘🦣 doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Rodent semicircular canal (SCC) shape and size reveal how they move! 🐀 Agile arboreal species have larger canals, while fossorial ones have smaller. SCC morphology helps predict locomotor behaviour and even reconstruct how fossil rodents moved 🦴 #Anatomy #Evolution #Rodents doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Striking diversity in the size, density, and distribution of taste papillae across 11 elasmobranch species reveals how sharks, skates, and rays taste their way to better feeding strategies. Atkinson & Collin, whose study graces our new cover, explain more: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...
The hidden pattern of the primary teeth in an ancestral ray-finned fish provides a clue to how the strange lungfish dentition could have evolved simply by modifying the growth mode of bone. More information in this newly published piece from @uuvertpalaeo.bsky.social here: doi.org/10.1111/joa....
