Embryonic Period

By Dr Daw Khin Win

Objectives
1. 2.

3.
4.

Describe the formation and derivatives of secondary mesoderm. Define notochord and name its fate and functions. Name the germ layers and list the derivatives of each layer. Define somite and describe the derivatives of somites.

Gastrulation

The process of the formation of three germ layers is called Gastrulation. This trilaminar germ disc is the basis of later embrynic development that gives rise to derivatives of germ layers- tissues, organs and organsystems. It takes place in the third week after fertilization. Folding of embryo and organogenesis follow in the fourth week.

2nd Week of Development (Bilaminar Germ Disc)

At the time of implantation, the embryoblast consists of only one type of cells. During the 2nd week of development this embryoblast differentiates into 2 types of cells: Epiblast columnar cells; faces the amniotic cavity Hypoblast cuboidal cells; faces the yolk sac

2nd Week of Development (Bilaminar Germ Disc)

Cells of epiblast give rise to another layer superficially that becomes the amnion or amniotic membrane and the amniotic cavity is formed between it and the epiblast. Epiblast proliferates to form two layer of cells- epiblast and hypoblast. Hypoblast proliferates and forms extraembryonic membrane enclosing the cavity, primary yolk sac.

Primary or Extraembryonic Mesoderm

Extraembryonic Coelom

Bilaminar Germ disc

Definitive Yolk Sac

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast Extraembryonic Mesoderm Buccopharyngeal Membrane

Cut Edge of Amnion

Primitive streak

Wall of Yolk Sac

Hypoblast

Epiblast

Prochordal plate

Primitive node and pit Primitive streak

Primitive Streak

Cloacal plate

At the beginning of the 3rd week, the development of the embryoblast is marked by the appearance of the primitive streak. The primitive streak appears as a midline linear streak bilateral symmetry On the epiblast surface of the bilaminar germ disc dorsal/ventral At the caudal half cranial/caudal

Formation of Secondary Mesoderm

Primitive Pit Primitive Streak

Epiblast

Amnion

Yolk Sac Invaginating cells Hypoblast

At the beginning of the 3rd week, a midline linear groove called the primitive streak appears on the epiblast surface in the caudal half of the embryo. Cells of the epiblast migrate in the direction of the primitive streak. On arrival they become flask-shaped, detach from the epiblast and invaginate between the epiblast and hypoblast layers. This migration of cells into the primitive streak occurs until the end of the 4th week after which the primitive streak disappears.

The primitive streak consists of 2 parts; Primitive groove Primitive node (at cephalic end) Epiblast cells migrate laterally and forward between the epiblast & hypoblast layers. In doing so, they do not cross: Prochordal plate epiblast & hypoblast are firmly fused at this point Midline where the notochord is developing Cloacal plate epiblast & hypoblast are also fused here.

Prochordal plate (Ruptures at end of 3rd week)

Primitive Node & Pit Primitive Groove

Notochordal Process

Cloacal plate

(Ruptures at end of 8th

Formation of Notochord week) The primitive node is seen at the cephalic end of the primitive streak. In the center is a pit called primitive pit. The cells of the primitive node also proliferates and the pit also extends into this as a lumen. The structure so formed is called the notochordal process. The notochordal process extends cranially until it reaches the prochordal plate. As the primitive streak regresses, the notochordal process lengthens caudally until it reaches cloacal plate.

Origin & Derivatives of Three Germ Layers

Notochord

The lower layer of the notochordal process fuses with the underlying hypoblast and perforations appear, gradually leading to its disappearance. Thus a temporary connection between the amniotic and yolk sac cavities is formed by way of the neurenteric canal. The hypoblast on each side of the perforation closes up the defect and the connection is then lost.

Function and Fate of Notochord

The remaining upper layer of the notochord proliferates to form a solid cord called the definitive notochord. This extends as a solid cord between the prochordal and cloacal plates. Function 1. To serve as a temporary axis 2. To induce the development of the neuro-ectoderm & neural plate 3. To initiate the formation of the vertebra or axial skeleton Fate of notochord The notochord in the region of the vertebra bodies disappear In the region of the inter-vertebral disc it remains as nucleus pulposus.

Formation of Neural tube

The midline ectodermal cells of epiblast proliferate and form a plate called neural plate. It folds and forms the neural tube. Some cells of neural plate remains laterally to the neural tube and form the neural crest. The neural tube sinks into the mesoderm and surface ectoderm grows over it. The neural tube passes throug the stage of neuropores, anterior and posterior,that close later.

Formation of Neural tube

Once the cells of primitive streak have invaginated, some displace the hypoblast creating the embryonic endoderm, and others come to lie between the epiblast and newly formed endoderm to form mesoderm. Cells remaining in the epiblast then form ectoderm. Thus, the epiblast, through the process of gastrulation, is the source of all of the germ layers.

Formation of Secondary Mesoderm

Trilaminar Germ Disc

The newly replaced hypoblast layer is now called endoderm. The cells filling the space between the epiblast and endoderm cranio-caudally are now called secondary mesoderm. The primitive streak regresses in size as this fulfillment is completed and at the end of the 4th week it completely disappears. After its disappearance, the epiblast is now called ectoderm. The embryo is now a trilaminar germ disc.

Secondary mesoderm differentiates into

3 parts on each side of the embryo. These 3 parts are1. Paraxial mesoderm 2. Intermediate mesoderm 3. Lateral plate mesoderm These 3 divisions of mesoderm give rise to specific structures in the adult.

Initially, cells of the mesodermal germ layer form a thin sheet of loosely woven tissue on each side of the midline. By 17th day, cells close to the midline proliferate and form a thickened plate of tissue known as paraxial mesoderm. More laterally, the mesoderm layer remains thin and is known as the lateral plate. Intermediate mesoderm connects the paraxial & lateral plate mesoderm

Paraxial mesoderm
- Lies on each side of the notochord. This will form:The supporting tissues such as: Connective tissue, Bone and cartilages of the axial skeleton, Skeletal muscle and Dermis of the skin.

Intermediate mesoderm

- Lies lateral to the paraxial mesoderm. - This connects the paraxial mesoderm and lateral plate mesoderm. - Also known as Urogenital ridge This forms: 1. Urinary system (kidneys & ureters) and 2. Genital system (gonads and genital ducts)

Lateral plate mesoderm

mesoderm. On Day 17, this splits into 2 layers: a ventral layer associated with endoderm and a dorsal layer associated with ectoderm. The ventral layer is continuous with the extra-embryonic mesoderm covering the yolk sac and is called the splanchnic mesoderm (visceral). The dorsal layer is continuous with the extra-embryonic mesoderm covering the amniotic cavity and is called the somatic mesoderm (parietal). Together these layers line a newly formed cavity, the intraembryonic cavity (after embryonic foldings) which is continuous with the extra-embryonic cavity on each side of the embryo.

- Lies lateral to the intermediate

The lateral plate mesoderm will form:1. The blood and lymphatic cells: heart and vessels; 2. Skeletal muscles of the body walls, 3. Smooth muscles, 4. Cortex of the adrenal gland 5. Spleen 6. Lining of the body cavities.

Somites

SOMITES

By the beginning of the 3rd week, the paraxial mesoderm is organized into segments called somitomeres (Somites). The somitomeres appear first in the cephalic region and then proceed cranio-caudally. Somitomeres are mesodermal cells arranged in concentric whorls around the center of the unit

From the occipital region to caudally, somitomeres are organized into somites. The 1st pair of somites appear in the cervical region at approximately on the 20th day of development. From here new somites appear in cranio-caudal sequence at a rate of approximately 3 pairs/day until the end of the 5th week.

Altogether 42 44 pairs of somites are formed. There are:- 4 occipital, - 8 cervical , - 12 thoracic, - 5 lumbar, - 5 sacral and - 8 10 coccygeal somites. The 1st occipital and the last 5 8 coccygeal somites disappear. Remaining occipital somites form the tongue muscles.

Derivatives of Somites
At the beginning of the 4th week, the rest of the somites lose their compact organization and become polymorphous and differentiate into:a. ventromedian (sclerotome) and b. dorso-lateral (dermo-myotome). The cells forming the sclerotome will surround the spinal cord and notochord to form the vertebral column. The dermo-myotome gives rise to a new layer of cells called myotome which will contribute to the formation of the skeletal muscles; while the dermatome form the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the skin. Hence each somite forms its own sclerotome, its own myotome and its own dermatome. Each myotome and dermatome has its own segmental nerve component.

Intermediate mesoderm

- Lies lateral to the paraxial mesoderm. - This connects the paraxial mesoderm and lateral plate mesoderm. - Also known as urogenital ridge

This forms: 1. Urinary system (kidney & ureter) and 2. Genital system (gonads and genital ducts).

HEAD FOLD and TAIL FOLD

Tail fold Head fold

Allantois

Tail fold
Note: the allantois(a) is folded with the tail into the embryo V duct

Head fold Head Fold

Folding of the Embryo Embryonic folding 1. Head and tail folds 2. Lateral foldin

As a result of cephalocaudal folding , a continuously large portion of the endoderm-lined cavity is incorporated into the body of the embryo proper as the primitive gut. The middle part of the gut temporarily communicates with the yolk sac by way of a broad stalk, the vitelline duct. This duct is wide initially, but with further growth of the embryo, it becomes narrow and much longer.

HEAD and TAIL FOLDING

LATERAL FOLDING

Formation of Intraembryonic Coelom

Lateral plate mesoderm encloses a cavity formed by dissolving of mesenchymal cells in it. That cavity is intraembryonic cavity surrounding the primitive heart,lungs and gastrointestinal tract. It was at first continuous with the extraembryonic cavity formed between primary yolk sac and cytotrophoblast.Later, the connection was closed.

Applied Anatomy

Cells of primitive streak are pluripotent, so remnants of the streak give rise to sacrococcygeal teratoma containing many types of tissue that change to malignant tumor. Neural tube defects are very common as it takes place in the 3rd week. Spina bifida and anencephaly are two common anomalies of CNS. Abnormal development of trophoblats lead to choriocarcinoma, a malignant tumor.

Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Anencephaly & Hydrocephalus