Fibroblast growth factor 10 regulates Meckel's cartilage formation during early mandibular morphogenesis in rats

► Fgf10 induced the elongation of Meckel's cartilage and spiral deformation. ► Fgf10 induced the gene expression of chondrogenic markers in mandibular organ culture. ► FGF10 showed time- and region-specific effects on chondrogenesis. ► The effects of FGF10 on chondrogenesis were mediated by the phosphorylation of ERK signaling.