The blobfish eyes are formed from Meckel’s cartilage. A component of the first pharyngeal arch that runs the length of the developing mandible. It degenerates as the fetus develops leaving only two small components on each side of the head. These ossify (become bone) to form the incus & malleus (ear ossicles) of the middle ear.
The blobfish nose is the developing tongue. It is composed of developing skeletal muscle fibers. Skeletal muscle forms from myoblasts that line up & fuse to form long myotubes. These will then synthesize actin/myosin which will allow them to contract & form the intrinsic skeletal muscle of the tongue.
The blobfish chin is formed by the developing maxilla. Two regions of tissue (the palatine shelves) grow together & fuse in the midline to form the posterior hard palate. You can see the midline suture forming & feel it in your own mouth by running your tongue along the roof of your mouth. Failure of these to fuse results in a variety of cleft lip and palate combinations.
The blobfish head is formed from a developing mandible. You can see small islands of bone forming within the mesenchymal tissue of the head. This type of bone development is called intramembranous ossification.
The blobfish is native to coastal waters off mainland Australia and Tasmania where it lives way deep down in the darkest depths of the ocean. Its gelatinous body is ideal for withstanding the pressure down there but when brought to the surface it looks like a sad melted pink crayon.
*Note: Fibroblasts do not come from hell. They are actually derived from embryonic mesoderm and the creepiest thing they do is secrete the collagen and ground substance of connective tissue. Not very creepy at all really when you think about it.
Histology is from the microscope of the ‘fiancee of ned4spd8834’
As the tide of patriarchy ebbs, young women are surging to fill the void - and dominate - in the world’s most prestigious and highly compensated professional fields. Hand over the stethoscope, gavel and dental tools boys, it’s our turn now. :)