Talk:Mesenchyme

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I would like to correct your page concerning the term "mesenchyme". Mesenchyme is a morphological description of a pleomorphic, migratory cell in loose connective tissue. It is found in both embryonic and adult tissues. It IS NOT DERIVED FROM MESODERM!!!! Mesencyme can be derived from all three germ layers. For example, neural crest, derived from ectoderm (neurectoderm) can form mesenchymal cells that migrate long distances in the embryo. Similarly, endodermal derivatives such as the lung, liver, pancreas can from as outgrowths of the gut but the cells forming these tissues undergo anepithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation and then a mesenchymal-to-epthelial conversion during tissue morphogenesis. Similarly, neoplastic cells in the adult derived from ectodermal or endodermal derivatives discard their epithelial phenotype and assume a mesenchymal appearance while migrating in the connective tissue. In short, mesenchyme is formed from all three germ layers. THE TERM MESENCHYME HAS NO RELATION TO GERM LAYER ORIGIN. My students have quoted Wikipedia in this regard and I have had to correct them about this mistake in your encyclopedia. Sincerely, Donald A Fischman, M.D. Harvey Klein Professor of Biomedical Sciences Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Weill Medical College of Cornell University New Yor, NY--Donaldfischman 18:27, 7 August 2006 (UTC)