Carnegie Stage 15: Hindlimbs
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The hind limbs in embryos develop just like the forelimbs: they start out as limb buds: small mesenchymal protuberances, covered with ectoderm that has a thickened ridge. Although postnatal cetaceans do not have hindlimbs, hindlimbs are initiated in their embryos. Later, they regress and disappear from the surface of the embryo.
