Motoneurons are attracted by muscle cells. Target tissues attract sensory neurons, but they are not specific for different types of neurons. Motorneuron Projection Patterns in Chick Embryonic Limbs with a Double Complement of Dorsal Thigh Musculature . Chick embryonic hindlimbs were given double dorsal thigh musculature and the ventral musculature was removed. This showed that the specific target type cues are not the only determinate of motoneuron axon pathways.
Several mechanisms govern the pathways the axons travel.
Some of these mechanisms include interneuronal interavtions, passive deployment, specific target recognition, and nonspecific regional cues. The Development of Sensory Projection Patterns in Embryonic Chick Hindlimb under Experimental Conditions . The neural tube was manipulated before axon growth occured. Removal of neural tube segments resulted in normal sensory and motoneuron projection within the remaining segments. When small neural tube segments were reversed, the motoneurons and sensory projections went down appropriate pathways.