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WEEK NO. 15, 16 and 17

Title Exercise 8: Development of Pig Embryo

Duration 9 hours

Objectives At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1. explain the development of the pig embryo;
2. compare the morphologic changes of the development; and
3. differentiate the development of the pig embryo with that of the frog and
chicken embryos.

Introduction The 10-mm pig embryo serves as an excellent model for understanding
early organogenesis of human embryo, as well as other mammalian species.

The (10)-mm pig embryos and equivalent stages of human embryos have
virtually the same internal and external morphologies except for two major
differences: First, in the external morphology, the length of the tail is much
longer in the pig than in human. Second, in the internal morphology, the
development of mesonephric kidneys is much greater in pig than in human.

Discussion Serial transverse section of the pig embryo at 10 mm.

The 10-mm pig embryo has been developing for 20-21 days of a total gestation
period of approximately four (4) months and it contains the rudiments of
essentially all adult structures. Therefore, the examination of this stage is almost
a study of adult anatomy in miniature.

The following structures are visible on the head part and its undersurface.

Nervous System

There are five regions of the brain that can be distinguished:

Telencephalon. This is characterized by lateral outgrowths that

eventually become the cerebral hemispheres. In sections
through the eye level, this structure can be seen continuous with
the diencephalon.

Diencephalon. This has a laterally flattened cavity, the third

ventricle. From its ventrolateral side, passes off the optic stalk. At
its mid-ventral wall forms an invagination, called the infundulum
which will produce the neural lobe of the hypophysis.

Mesencephalon. It forms the adult corpora quarigermina and

cerebral peduncles. In sections, this can be seen near the pointed
apex of the metencephalon. Its cavity, the cerebral aqueduct, is
seen continuous with the 4th ventricle of rhombencephalon
(metencephalon and myelencephalon).

Metencephalon. It is grossly seen separated from the

mesencephalon by a constriction known as the isthmus. This
prominently emphasized the regions of mesencephalon and
metencephalon. At the lower level, this structure becomes
continuous with myelencephalon. The cavity of both brain regions
is the 4th ventricle.

Myelencephalon. This structure is easily distinguished because it

is rooted over by a thin and non-nervous ependymal layer. Its
ventrolateral wall is thickened and still gives internal indication of
the neuromeres.
The walls of the central nervous system show three layers:

Ependymal layer. This is the densely cellular inner layer which is

next to the central canal.

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Mantle layer. This is the middle layer of nerve cells and fibers.

Marginal layer. This is the outer layer which is chiefly fibrous. A

thin outer layer surrounds the brain wall as the primitive pia
mater.

The cranial nerves (note the relationship of each cranial nerve to various
subdivisions of the brain and other organs associated with it).

Olfactory (I) cranial nerves (sensory nerves). This is derived

from young neurons found within the walls of nasal pits. Their
axons are growing toward the telencephalon and constitute the
olfactory cranial nerve. Dendrites will develop later from the
neurons within each nasal pit and differentiate as olfactory
receptors.

In the elevated regions of the head mesenchyme which is

covered by the skin ectoderm to either side of the nasal pit are
the lateral and medial nasal processes. The medial
nasal processes will eventually fuse laterally with a
maxillary process. Medially, it fuses with other medial
nasal process to form the upper jaw. The lateral process
eventually forms the side of the nose.

Optic (II) cranial nerves (sensory nerves). These consist of the

axons from ganglion cells in the retina of the eye (optic cup) that
grows into the marginal zone of the sensory retina. The axons of
these ganglion cells remain within the marginal zone and grow to
the floor of the diencephalon.

At this stage of the embryo, this cranial nerve cannot be

identified because the axons remain within the marginal
zone throughout their extent. These nerves are fiber tracts
located within derivatives of the wall of the diencephalon.

Occulomotor (III) cranial nerves (motor nerves). These are

axons derived from the cell bodies of the neurons within the
intermediate zone at the floor of the mesencephalon.

These motor nuclei are easily distinguishable as slight

thickenings of the floor of the mesencephalon.

As the nerves are traced posteriorly, these terminate near

the eye muscle rudiment.

Trochlear (IV) cranial nerves (motor nerves). These consist

also of axons derived from the motor nuclei developing within the
floor of mesencephalon.

Trigeminal (V) cranial nerves (mixed nerves). Their sensory

roots constitute axons that arise at the broadest part of the
rhombencephalon. These are continuous with the large semilunar
ganglia, which can be seen at a few more sections posteriorly.

The semilunar ganglion eventually gives rise to three

branches of this nerve. These are ophthalmic branch
leading to the eye region, maxillary branch leading to the
maxillary process and the mandibular branch leading to
the mandibular process.

Abducens (VI) cranial nerves (motor nerves). These are small

nerves which are usually cut frontally. The axons of these nerves
arise at each side from the floor of the rhombencephalon.

Facial (VII) cranial nerves (mixed nerves). These are closely

associated with auditory vesicle and the auditory cranial nerve.
The geniculate ganglion of these nerves is the lowermost ganglion
of the sacculus while the acoustic ganglion is the uppermost.

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In a more posterior section, there are axons that constitute

the sensory roots of the facial nerves which interconnect
the geniculate ganglion and rhombencephalon.

Continuing at the posterior sections, these nerves extend

from the geniculate ganglion to the second bronchial arch.

Auditory (VIII) cranial nerves (sensory nerves). The axons of

these nerves interconnect the acoustic ganglion and
rhombencephalon.

The nerves are very short and are closely applied to the
sensory roots of the facial nerves.

The acoustic ganglion eventually subdivides into two: the

vestibular and spinal (cochlear) ganglia.

Glossopharyngeal (IX) cranial nerves (mixed nerves). Axons

are continuous with the wall of the myelencephalon just above the
auditory vesicle. Two ganglia are associated with these nerves: the
superior ganglion which is larger in size and the petrosal ganglion.

Vagus (X) cranial nerves (mixed nerves). The axons of these

nerves can be traced at the sections about the level by which the
endolymphatic ducts appear.

The axons are continuous with the wall of the

myelencephalon caudal to the auditory vesicles. Associated
ganglia with these nerves are the jugular and nodose
ganglia. The jugular ganglion lies just caudal to the superior
ganglion.

Tracing the sections posteriorly, the jugular ganglion

disappears and is replaced by vagus nerves, then as these
nerves disappear, nodose ganglion replaces them. The
nodose ganglion is derived from a pair of epibranchial
placodes.

Spinal accessory (XI) cranial nerves (motor nerves). These

lie adjacent to the jugular ganglion then to the vagus and to the
nodose ganglion.

Hypoglossal (XII) cranial nerves (motor nerves). The axons

sprout from the myelencephalon.

Spinal cord. It begins without specific demarcation and extends

into the tapering tail. Beneath the spinal cord and hindlimb lies the
notochord.

Spinal ganglia. These are small prominent ganglia on each side

just caudal to the roots of the spinal accessory. They contribute to
the hypoglossal nerves.

Structure in the mesenchyme between the brain and the

epidermis:

Single basilar artery. It is located at the midplane nut nearer the

metencephalon.

Internal carotid arteries. They are paired arteries ventrolateral

to the diencephalons. Together with the basilar artery, this unit is
located at the future arterial circle of Willis.

Anterior cardinal veins (precardinal veins). These becomes

the internal jugular veins.

Draining into these veins are three sets of plexuses which

are forerunners of the dural sinuses at alongside of the
brain.

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It also receives the external jugular veins from the

mandibular region and the subclavian veins from the
upper limb buds.

It also opens into the common cardinal veins, the ducts

of Cuvier, that empty into the sinus venosus.

Posterior Cardinal veins. These are the most primitive veins

caudal to the level of the heart. They pass dorsal to the
mesonephros.

Endolymphatic ducts. These are small vesicles that appear on

each side of the myelencephalon.

Auditory vesicles. These lie lateral to the endolymphatic ducts.

Their dorsal part forms the utriculus of the inner ear.

The endolymphatic ducts and these vesicles are continuous

in more posterior sections.

The projection nearer the top of the section is the rudiment

of the posterior semicircular canal while near the
bottom is the rudiment of the anterior semicircular canal.

Sense organs. These are the organs which develop into eyes, ears, and
nose.

Olfactory pits. These are elongated grooves or deep fossae which

are flanked by lateral nasal and median nasal processes.

Lateral and medial nasal processes. They are branched-like

structures bound in the olfactory pits.

Optic cup. It is a prominent structure lateral to the diencephalons.

The double wall of this cup comprises the retina.

The outer layer of the retina is a thin structure referred to

as the pigmental epithelium.

The nervous layer is the inner thicker layer.

The lens is now a closed vesicle. It is seen through and

beneath the ectoderm and is surrounded by the optic cup.

The lens vesicle is distinct from the overlying corneal

ectoderm.

Otocyst. It is a compressed oval vesicle, the auditory vesicle, with

a tubular endolymphatic duct growing from its medial side.

Four branchial arches. They are located at the sides if the head and are
separated by three branchial grooves.

First branchial grooves. They forked ventrally into two portions:

The maxillary processes and the mandibular processes. The
smaller processes nearly fuse with the medial nasal process. This
will eventually become the upper jaw. The larger mandibular
processes have united to form the lower jaw.

Second branchial arch. It is also known as the hyoid arch.

Third branchial arch. It is visible at the future neck region.

Fourth branchial arch. It sinks inward to form into cervical sinus.

Circulatory System

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Heart. It lies within the pericardial cavity. The left and right atria
are partially separated by a septum repimum while the cavity of
the left and right ventricles are separated by interventricular
septum. The walls of the heart consist of three layers: the inner
endocardium, middle myocardium, and outer epicardium.

Blood vessels.

Conotruncus. This is the blood vessel in the heart which is

formed by the ventricle through its connection to the
ventral aortic roots via the truncus arteriosus and the
conus, the narrow transitional region where the ventricle
narrows to join the truncus.

Bulbar ridges. These are the ingrowths of the wall

where the cavity of the conotruncus becomes
separated.

Bulbar septum. It is the fuse bulbar ridges in the

more anterior section. It separates the conotruncus
into two vessels, the aortic trunk (ascending aorta)
at the right of the embryo and the pulmonary
trunk at the left.

Aortic arches. These are blood vessels which connect the dorsal
and ventral aortae by way of visceral arch.

First and second aortic arches. These have

degenerated at this stage.

Third aortic arches. They connect with the

terminal part of the aortic trunk. Three small vessels
extend ventral from the aortic arch. External carotid
arteries, common carotid arteries, and part of the
adult internal carotid arteries.

Fourth aortic arches. These are continuous with

the aortic trunk. The left fourth aortic arch is larger
than the right and is incorporated into adult arch or
aorta. The left is also incorporated into the adult
right subclavian artery.

Fifth aortic arches. These are rudimentary and

have degenerated.

Sixth aortic arches. These are continuous with the

pulmonary trunk. The left aortic artery is larger than
the right. Towards the anterior, this artery joins the
dorsal aorta. The distal end of this arch that
connects to the left dorsal aorta is the ductus
arteriosus. The distal end of the sixth aortic arch
soon degenerates.

Dorsal Aorta. It is joined by the third aortic arches at the cranial

terminal end and, through the dorsal, leads to the pharynx and
stomach.

Descending aorta. It is continuous with the dorsal aorta which is

now seen at the level where the stomach fades out. Associated
with it are the celiac artery, vitelline arteries (at earlier stage),
intersegmental arteries (from which the subclavian arteries are
derived), mesonephri (lateral) arteries, umbilical and caudal
arteries.

Digestive and Respiratory Organs

Mouth. It is derived from the pharyngeal membrane. With the

disappearance of the pharyngeal membrane, the stomodeum and
the endodermal mouth cavity have become continuous.

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Pharynx. It is flattened dorsoventrally and appears broad at the

oral end. It the sections at the level of this structure show the first
and second pharyngeal pouches.

Pharyngeal pouches. These are larger pouches and each bearing

a dorsal and a ventral wing.

The first pharyngeal pouch. It is destined to be

utilized as auditory tube and tympanic cavity. The
closing plate between this pouch and the 1st
branchial grooves forms the tympanic membrane.
The ectodermal groove becomes the external
acoustic meatus.

The second pharyngeal pouch. It is destined to

become the tonsillar fossae.

The tubular third pouch dorsal wing forms a

parathyroid gland and the ventral wing differentiates
into thymus.

The smaller fourth pouch dorsal wing gives rise to

another parathyroid on each side. Its ventral wing is
rudimentary.

Tuberculum. It is part of the tongue which arises above the floor

of the pharynx lying in between the lateral swellings of the
mandibular arches.

Thyroid gland. It is composed of branching epithelial cords. This

is located between the second and the third branchial arches.

Esophagus. This extends as a narrow tube dorsal to the trachea.

It dilates as it passes the laterally flattened stomach.

Stomach. It is laterally flattened which is located dorsal to the

lungs.

Small intestine. This has three parts: the duodenum, jejunum,

and ileum. The pyloric end of the stomach opens into the
duodenum and a hepatic diverticulum originates from it. Beyond
the duodenum, the intestine is thrown into loop that extends into
the umbilical cord and connects with the yolk stalk.
Large intestine. Its structure begins with the cecum and is
composed of the colon and rectum. The cloaca is now subdividing
into the rectum and the urogenital sinus.

Liver. It is differentiated from the hepatic diverticulum. This is

four-lobed and fills the space between the heart, stomach, and
duodenum.

Its tissues are network of trabeculae and

sinusoids. The component liver cords are composed
of liver cells which are surrounded by the
endothelium of the sinusoids.

The hepatic duct connected the liver with the

hepatic diverticulum. The main stem of the latter
is the common bile duct, while a side sacculation’s,
the cystic duct and gall bladder.

Pancreas. It arises from the common bile duct near its point of
origin.

Coelom. It is continuous, communicating system which includes

the single pericardial and peritoneal cavities, still connected by
paired pleural cavities.

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Septum transversum. It is the prominent partition between the

heart and the liver.

Mesenteries. These are derived from the double sheet of the

splanchnic mesoderm. There are two groups of mesenteries, the
dorsal and ventral mesenteries.

Generally, the dorsal group is named as primitive dorsal

mesentery, however, at different levels, they are called with
specific names based from where they are located:

Mesogastrum or greater omentum. It suspends the stomach.

Mesoduodenum. It suspends the small intestine.

Mesocolon. It suspends the large intestine.

The ventral mesentery persists as lesser omentum between the

liver and the ventral body wall.

The larynx, trachea, and lungs. These structures are continuous.

The trachea is definite tube and terminally bifurcates into primary

bronchi.

Each primary bronchus divides into secondary bronchial buds

which indicate the two lobes of the left lung and the middle and
lower lobes of the right lung. From the right side of the trachea
appears another bud which represents the upper lobe of the right
lung.

Urogenital Organs

Mesonephros. These are large, complex, prominent organs.

Along its ventral margin course, the mesonephric ducts. Each duct
shows a connection laterally with the terminal segment of a
collecting tubule.

Mesonephric ducts. It is traced along the ventral margins of the

mesonephros and into the urogenital sinus.

Allantois. It is a conspicuous stalked sac which communicates

with the ventral part of the urogenital sinus.

Umbilical cord. It is relatively large structure that contains the

yolk sac and the allantoic stalk.

Metanephros. These are known as the prominent kidneys which

lie caudal between the roots of the umbilical arteries. Each consists
of a tubular epithelial portion, surrounded by a mass of condensed
mesenchyme.

Genital tuberculum. It is seen between the tail and the umbilical

cord.

Other Structures

Upper limb bud. It is a paddle-shaped structure located caudal to

the umbilical cord.

Mesodermal segment. It occurs as series at the dorsal part of

the embryo. As it moves towards the tail, the segments are
progressively smaller.

Mammary ridge. It is a thickened band of ectoderm, parallel to

the mesodermal segment, extending between the bases of the
limb buds.

Tail. It is visibly long and tapering.

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Activity  View the slides of the serial transverse section of the pig embryo at 10 mm.
Following the descriptions above, identify the structures.

Embryology of the Pig

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Afterwards, answer Activity 7. Once accomplished, cut the activity at the

perforated side and submit it to the laboratory instructor.

References Note:
 This part of the module was adopted from Comparative Embryology of the
Vertebrates: A Laboratory Manual (Salibay et al., 2002).

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Name: Date:
Laboratory Schedule: Score:

Activity 8
Development of Pig Embryo

1. Give the distinguishing characteristics pf the embryonic development unique to pig.

Distinguishing characteristics of the embryonic development of pig.

Stage of Characteristics
development

Early development

Late development

Others

2. Label the different structures of the pig embryo at 10 mm.

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the

hindbrain and spinal cord (40x)
1. Spinal cord
2. ____________________
3. Hypoglossal nerve
4. ____________________
5. Pia mater
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. Mesencephalon

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the

auditory vesicles (40x)

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1. Spinal cord
2. Spinal ganglion
3. ____________________
4. Spinal accessory nerve
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. Auditory vesicle
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through level

of semilunar ganglion (40x)
1. Spinal cord
2. ____________________
3. Posterior semicircular canal
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. Pia mater
9. ____________________
10. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the

eye and pharyngeal arches (40x)
1. Spinal nerve
2. Pharynx
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. Branchial groove
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. Diencephalon

Ten-mm pig embryo section through heart

and nasal cavity (40x)

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1. Subclavian vein
2. Common cardinal vein
3. Atrium
4. Conus arteriosus
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through

esophagus, lung bud, heart and
mesonephros (40x)
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. Forelimb
4. ____________________
5. Postcava
6. Right atrium
7. Branchial plexus
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. Left common cardinal vein
11. ____________________
12. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the

stomach, ventricle and kidney (40x)
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. Vestibule of omental bursa
5. ____________________
6. Ventral ramus
7. Part of upper limb bud
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the

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kidney and lower limb bud (40x)

1. Posterior cardinal vein
2. Mesonephros
3. ____________________
4. Peritoneal cavity
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. Dorsal aorta
8. ____________________
9. Umbilical artery
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. ____________________

Ten-mm pig embryo section through the tail

and spinal ganglia (40x)
1. ____________________
2. Marginal layer
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________

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WEEK NO. 18

FINAL EXAMINATION

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