GROSS MORPHOLOGY OF THE CHICK EMBRYO (Gallus gallus)

Introduction
The common domestic chick, Gallus gallus, is commonly used in embryology laboratory
because it is large, readily available, and useful in understanding the ontogenetic phases of
amniotes. The phylogenetic relationship among most animals can be inferred from the
development of the structures of a chick embryo making it an invaluable tool in embryology.
Once the egg is laid, the embryo has already undergone gastrulation. At this point, its
primary rudimentary organs are just beginning to form.

Objectives
At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:
1. compare the general morphological features of the chick embryo in different stages of
development;
2. identify and characterize the diagnostic features of the chick embryo as development
proceeds;
3. extrapolate from chick to human development certain structures; and,
4. appreciate the unfolding of body parts that are vital to the embryo in time and space.

Important structures in the chick embryo

1. Area pellucida – the central clear region atop the massive yolk where the translucent
embryo is located.
2. Area opaca – the dark region that surrounds the area pellucida.
3. Area vasculosa – peripheral mottled region surrounding the embryo.
4. Blood islands – groups of cells scattered in the area vasculosa.
5. Embryo – a tiny structure at the center of the area pellucida.
a. Primitive streak – thin dense line in the middle of area pellucida which represent
the beginning of the embryo. It appears first among the embryonic structures and
disappears the earliest.
b. Primitive pit or Hensen’s node – a small pit that marks the end of the primitive
streak.
c. Head process – represent the material for the developing notochord. It is located
just above the Hensen’s node.
d. Proamnion – a clear area on the cephalic region of the embryo.
e. Neural folds – paired, dark parallel “lines” flanking the lighter cavity, the neural
groove.
f. Head of the embryo – developing anterior region of the embryo visible as clear
conclave structure beneath the neural tube. It is composed of the mesenchymal
cells surrounded by the head ectoderm.
g. Foregut – the anterior part of the developing digestive tract located just below the
head and opens via the anterior intestinal portal.
h. Splanchnic mesoderm – thick, dark crescentic structure which represent the
rudiment of the heart on the posterior region of the foregut.
i. Somites – paired blocks of tissues on each side of the neural tube.
j. Intersomitic grooves – located in between the somites.
k. Segmental mesoderm – large mass of tissues that are still fused and located on
other side of the somites.
 EXERCISES

1. Label the parts of the chick embryo on the figure. Use the list of structures provided above.

Fig 1. Chick embryo, whole mount, 18hrs

Fig. 2. Chick embryo, whole mount, 33 hours
2. Explain how you can estimate the age of the embryo based on the overall appearance of
the embryo.

3. Identify structures that serve as diagnostics features to identify the age of the chick
embryo.

4. Explain the importance of area pellucida, area opaca, area vasculosa and blood islands.

5. The proamnion is a misnomer. Explain why.

6. What is the significance of the primitive streak?

7. How many somites can be identified in the 33-hr embryo? What is their role in
development?