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EMBRYOLOGY LECTURE 4

EMBRYONIC PERIOD/DERIVATIVES OF THE EMBRYONIC GERM


LAYERS

Learning objectives
To help the learner
appreciate that organs and tissues of the body are formed from the
three germ layers
appreciate the significance of embryonic period
Outline
Derivates of the ectoderm germ layer
Derivates of the mesoderm layer
Derivates of the endoderm germ layer

Introduction
The embryonic period also known as the period of organogenesis occurs
between the 3rd/4th and 8th week of development. Each of the three germ
layers gives rise to a number of specific tissues and organs. By the end of
the embryonic period, the main organ systems have been formed. The
shape of the embryo has changed significantly and the major features of
external body form are recognizable.

Derivates of the ectodermal germ layer

By the 3rd week, the ectoderm germ layer has the shape of flat disc.
The notochord induces the ectoderm and give rise to central
nervous system= brain and spinal cord

Embryonic germ layers

Afterwards two other ectodermal thickenings occur in the cephalic


region of the embryo: (1) Otic placode which give rise to the
structures of hearing and equilibrium. (2) Lens placode which
forms the lens of the eye during the fifth week.

In summation, it may be stated that ectoderm layer gives rise to


those structures and organs that maintain contact with outside
environment: central and peripheral nervous systems; the
epidermis, hair and nails; sensory epithelium of nose, ear and eye.
Also, the ectoderm gives rise to: the mammary glands,
subcutaneous glands, the pituitary gland and the enamel of the
teeth.

Derivatives of mesoderm germ layer

The mesoderm has 3 distinct parts. The part near the


midline=paraxial mesoderm, the middle part=intermediate
mesoderm and the lateral part=lateral mesoderm

Paraxial mesoderm

By the end of 3rd week, the paraxial mesoderm breaks into


segmented blocks of epitheliodal cells called the somites. The first
pair of somites forms on day 20 and arises in the cervical region,
and then new ones are formed in craniocaudal sequence.

Somites formation

The epithelioid cells forming the walls of the somites differentiate at


the beginning of 4th week. The differentiation results in the
formation of three distinct cell masses; the sclerotome, the
myotome, and the dermatome

Sclerotome; give rise to skeletal system (bones and cartilages).

Myotome; give rise to muscular system (muscles)

Dermatome; give rise to dermis and subcutaneous tissue of


the skin

Differentiation of the somites

Intermediate mesoderm
This tissue differentiates differently from the paraxial mesoderm. It forms
segmentally arranged cell clusters and unsegmented mass of tissue; and
they both give rise to the excretory units of the urinary system and
gonads.
Lateral mesoderm (Lateral plate)

Some cavities form and coalesce in the lateral plate, and divide it
into two layers; one layer is continuous with the mesoderm of the

amnion and is called parietal mesoderm layer, the other is


continuous with the mesoderm of the yolk sac, and is called
visceral or splanchnic mesoderm.

The two layers line the intra-embryonic coelom. The parietal layer
together with overlying ectoderm will form the body wall. The
visceral layer together with endoderm will form the wall of the gut.
Cells facing the coelomic cavity forms the serous membrane
which will line the peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities.

Parietal and Visceral Mesoderm Layers

Together line intraembryonic coelom

With ectoderm parietal forms lateral and ventral body wall

With embryonic endoderm visceral forms gut wall

At beginning of 3rd wk, cells located in the visceral mesoderm of the


wall of the yolk sac differentiates into angioblasts, the cells which
form blood and blood vessels

Mesoderm derivatives
o Notochord
o Paraxial Mesoderm (Somites) -> Axial Skeleton, voluntary mm,
parts of dermis
o Intermediate Mesoderm -> Urogenital system
o Lateral plate Mesoderm:

Splanchnopleuric (viseral) part -> Mesothelial covering


of visceral organs, CVS, adrenal cortex

Somatopleuric (parietal) part -> Inner lining of body


wall, parts of limbs, most of dermis

Derivates of endodermal germ layer

The main organ system derived from endodermal germ layer is


gastrointestinal tract.

Others

Endoderm derivates in general


Gut lining
Gut derivatives
Respiratory lining

Ectoderm

Mesoderm

Endoderm

Epidermis, nails, hair


CNS, PNS, enamel,
mammary glands,
sweat glands, pituitary
gland, sensory
epithelium of nose, ear
and eye

Muscular system,
skeletal system,
dermis, subcutaneous
tissue, excretory
urinary system, blood
and blood vessels,
lymphatic,
heart,spleen,
suprarenal glands,
urogenital
system=kidney,
gonads& their ducts
but not the bladder

Epithelial lining of
gastrointestinal tract,
respiratory tract,
urinary bladder,
tympanic cavity,
Eustachian tube,
parenchyma of liver
pancreas,thymus
thyroid,
parathyroid,and tonsils

Some of the derivatives of the embryonic germ layers

NB: During the period of organogenesis, it is the time the embryo


is most susceptible to factors that may interfere with
development. Most congenital malformation arises during this
period.

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