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World J Orthop. Oct 18, 2013; 4(4): 167-174
Published online Oct 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i4.167
Published online Oct 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i4.167
Normal and abnormal spine and thoracic cage development
Federico Canavese, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Alain Dimeglio, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
Author contributions: Canavese F and Dimeglio A contributed equally to this work, designed the aim of the editorial, generated the figures and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Federico Canavese, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 1, place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France. canavese_federico@yahoo.fr
Telephone: +33-4-73750293 Fax: +33-4-73750291
Received: March 5, 2013
Revised: June 7, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: October 18, 2013
Revised: June 7, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: October 18, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Development of the spine and thoracic cage is a complex series of events involving multiple metabolic processes, genes and signaling pathways. During growth, complex phenomena follow a rapid succession. This succession of events, this establishment of elements, is programmed according to a hierarchy. Complex spinal deformities alter normal growth plate development and vertebral bodies become progressively distorted, perpetuating the disorder. Therefore, many scoliotic deformities can become growth plate disorders over time.