Endochondral ossification is the process by which bones form from cartilage models. It involves mesenchymal condensation, cartilage formation, invasion of blood vessels and osteoblasts, chondrocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, and continued growth through proliferation of growth plate chondrocytes regulated by FGF signaling. Defects in FGF signaling can result in achondroplastic dwarfism from premature closure of growth plates and shortened limb bones. Much of initial limb growth and patterning occurs between 4-8 weeks of development, and disruptions during this time can lead to limb abnormalities such as amelia, meromelia, phocomelia, adactyly, ectrodact