Embryology

By Malek Hassan
t
 Embryology: The study of the chages that occur
during
intra-uterine life

Is the science that deals with the study of the origin and
development of human beings from the process of
tra-uterine
fertilization to the process of birth. life- the period fromis
fertilization to birth

2
Fig.1: Fertilization to birth.
 Developmental periods:

1 Embryonic period:
The time from fertilization to the end of the 8th week of
development. During this period, the developing human is
called Embryo.

2 Fetal period:
The time from the beginning of the 9th week until birth. During
this period, the developing human is called Fetus.

Sometimes, the period from fertilization until implantation is called

Pre-embryonic period. partof the Embryonic period Sign it,"
3
 Fertilization >
result
initiate the
in Metabolic activation that
cleavage of the
zygote

it is the union ofthe haploid Male gamete sperm with

haploid female
gamete oocyte
• Is the process by which the haploid male gamete
(the sperm) unites with the haploid female gamete
(oocyte) to form the diploid zygote. cell containg normal
a a

number of
-

chromosomes

• It usually takes place in the ampulla of the uterine

tube.
2n in humans
Diploid: the normal number of chromosomes à 46 L

In Haploid: half the normal number of chromosomes à 23 <

the resultof fertilization

-
Zygote = yolk ( = joined together).

Fig.2: Top: sperm. Bottom: oocyte (close to the oocyte, a sperm is

drawn to, approximately, the same scale as the oocyte).

-
• Thousands of sperms usually
reach the oocyte in the uterine
tube. One sperm, however,
will fertilize the ovum.

Fig.3: Process of Fertilization

Results of Fertilization
24

1. Restoration of the diploid number of chromosomes.

Male of
-
2. Determination of the chromosomal sex of the embryo. ->
female

3. Variation in the human species due to the (1)mingling of

chromosomes from two different individuals, the
(2)crossing-over of chromosomes, and (3)mutations.

4. Metabolic activation that initiates the cleavage of the

zygote.

6
 The 1st Week of Development

I
Cleavage of
the Zygote Implantation

..
Blastocyst
formation

7
Cleavage of the Zygote:
- 8-888?
Ø Is the repeated mitotic division of the zygote resulting in a
rapid increase in the number of cells with a decrease in their
-

size.

Ø The resulting cells are called Blastomeres.

Ø Not all cells necessarily divide at the same time; so, the
number of cells does not follow the mathematical progression
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ...

8
Blasto- = forming. –mere = part.
 Zygote

· a
Zona Pellucida
glycoprotein layer
thatsurround the oocyte
371518 5 -
-

Joined Pronuclei

Polar Body
Fig.4: Cleavage of the
Zygote. Note how the 2-Cell stage
number of cells increases; (30 HAF)
however, the overall size of
the zygote does not. HAF =
hours after fertilization
4-Cell stage
9
 Fig.4 (continued): Note how the zona pellucida is not present
around the late blastocyst.

Zona Pellucida 8-Cell stage

Zygotdid not
change
in Size in this period

by the fifth days fluid will startto get

into the cell
forming carily called
a

Early Blastocyst Blastocystic Cavity ↳

Surrounded

(5 DAF) by pellucida
Zona

--------------------
Blastocyst Merges
When the into the E.pellucida

Late Blastocyst 2

(1) Trophoblast
(2) Inner Cell
Mass
( 6 DAF)
Z
o na
pellucida disapper

Morula (4 DAF)
10
a solid sphere of cells
§ Zona pellucida: a layer of glycoprotein that surrounds the -

oocyte. It continues to surround the dividing zygote until the

-

late blastocyst stage (6 days after fertilization).

§ Morula: is a solid sphere of blastomeres that forms about 4

-

days after fertilization.

Fig.5: Morula, a ball of blastomeres.

11
 Starts the herine

)
in

Cleavage
.. tube & continue
the leaves
when
the
zygot
uterus

**
B
After ovulation I have within the
ovary formation of what we call
⑦!@π
Morula
⑤ ( corpus luteum ) or the yellow
body this is a structure that is
important due to it function in
preparing the uterus for pregnancy

M Early
blastocyst
- 7 Fertilization)
.
-.
from formation of deciduous cells 1
dilation the of blood vessels & so in
in the glands increase in size in the
endometrium of the uterus this is
all under the
Influence of certain hormone by

A6 Last blastocyst
*
-
⑱
7 the corpus luteum

Zona
L

pellucida
=>@°π⑧⑤
Implantation
disappear Ovulation
6)
⑳?⑧ 35. It correct
the
the
ovum
leaving
ovary

Fig.6: The cleavage of the zygote begins in the uterine tube and ends in the uterus.
12
Blastocyst Formation:
Fig.7: The blastocyst
q At about 5 DAF, fluid starts to accumulate within the and its hatching.
zygote à formation of a fluid filled cavity called =5. Si11; i

Blastocystic cavity. The zygote at this stage is called

Blastocyst.

q The blastocyst emerges from the surrounding zona

pellucida by a process called Hatching. Late blastocyst
When the bastocyst forms the cells
q In the blastocyst, the cells form two groups:
·

arranged
will be into two parts:

i. The inner cell mass (embryoblast) on the inside which will innerfoundell ·Yes Mass

form the embryo.

in the inside oft he

blastocy"wssbie
ii. Surrounding the blastocyst is a layer of cells called the trophoblast Cavity
trophoblast which will form the embryonic part of thebegin
N
Good is
-

they form the

Petal part of the
of
part
①

placenta and part of the chorion.

:i
E
!
Issa
.
.

13
 The wall of the Uterus consistof 3 layers -
↓-indometrium dybs'- underlining Spithelinisi, s
Implantation: 2-Mesumetrium is b
3 -
Serosa ,"
CT

v Implantation is the attachment of the trophoblast (near

the embryoblast) to the endometrium of the uterus and
the subsequent embedding of the embryo within the
endometrium . It usually occurs in the fundus or body
of the uterus and begins about 6 DAF.
S

v At this stage, the trophoblast will form two layers of

cells: When implantation happens the trophoblastdivide into two parts:
a. Cytotrophoblast: the inner layer. single layer of cells
->

b. Syncytiotrophoblast: this is the outer layer near the -D

embryoblast. It consists of several cells that fuse

together to form a multinucleated syncytium. lost because they ->

the cell membrane

4,:sj:583
%
-

between them
by the end of
the first week

v At this time, a layer of cuboidal cells appears on the

embryoblast. This is called the hypoblast. 14
 outer layer
->

Fig.8: Implantation of the embryo. ↳Singlelargeen

In (b), note the division of the
trophoblast into two layers. Also
note the formation of the hypoblast.

16
The 2nd Week of Development

I
①
Completion of
Implantation
⑧
Formation of the
Bilaminar Disc
Allhappennee
time
⑧
Development of
the Chorionic Sac

16
Completion of Implantation it will release
enzymes
thatwill
destroy the surrounding indometrium
thus the embryo will be pushed insidethe uterus wall until itis

totally embedded within it

Ø By the activity of certain enzymes, the syncytiotrophoblast will
continue to invade the uterine wall until the whole embryo is
itstartat the 6 DAF& ending
embedded in the wall (About 10 DAF). he DA ↓
IO

Ø Up to this moment, the embryo was nourished by secretions from the

mucosa of the uterine tube and uterus.
>
Epithelium of the

Ø As implantation happens, some cells in the connective tissue of the

uterine wall will enlarge and become filled with glycogen and lipids.
These cells (called Decidual cells) will be engulfed by the -

syncytiotrophoblast and their contents are used to nourish the embryo.

itwill reach the embergo by "diffusion"

17
 ·gland of the CT of the
within the uterus will become larger
syncytiotrophoblast
·When the syncyliotrophoblast
Ø Multiple lacunae will appear in the syncytium. These will be invade the uterine wall
the Maternal
they
-sideassessyet; will
destroy
connected with each other to form a network. The
so,

glands & blood vessel

5 & the blood &
'
glandular
syncytiotrophoblast will erode the enlarged endometrial Secretion will pass to
the lacunar network

capillaries and glands and maternal blood and glandular of the

syncytiotrophoblast

secretions will pour into these lacunae. The blood and the
secretions will provide nutrition for the embryo.

Ø By the end of the 2nd week, extensions from the

cytotrophoblast will protrude into the overlying layer of
syncytiotrophoblast forming the primary chorionic villi.
Normal
*
pregnancy testis After the beginning of the 3rd week

18
 scs's:,
"

I
by the end of the 2nd week
some of them will to the side
grow
of the
syncytotrophoblast

Fig.9: Completion of implantation.

In (b), we have lacunae within the
syncytium. In (c), the lacunae
formed a network. Note how
maternal blood and glandular
secretions pass into these lacunae. 19
C
 ↑
primary
chorionic
villi

Fig.10: Primary chorionic villi. 20

 beginning 2nd week

Formation of the Bilaminar Disc > At the

as
same

implantation
time

in the wall
uterus
of

q As implantation progresses, changes occur in the

embryoblast.
* from the hypoblast some cells will pass to line the cytotrophoblast
q The embryoblast will form a flattened, almost
circular disc. This disc is formed of 72 layers
(Bilaminar). These are:
a. Epiblast: thicker, formed
⑲
-
of
columnar cells, related to
amniotic cavity. ,
-
the closed sac between the embryo and
the amnion, containing the amniotic fluid

b. Hypoblast: thinner, formed of

I cuboidal cells, related to
-

wis
exocoelomic cavity.
Cavity

5 22
External
-
-

Fig.11: The bilaminar disc.

 of
~ embeding into the uterus wall

q At the same time, a cavity appears in the

embryoblast called the Amniotic cavity. The
epiblast forms its floor. Cells derived from the
epiblast form the amniotic membrane (or
amnion) that covers the amniotic cavity.

q Cells derived from the hypoblast will line the

cytotrophoblast, thus, covering the blastocystic
cavity. These cells form what’s called the
exocoelomic membrane and the cavity is now
called the exocoelomic cavity.

22
 Cytotrophoblast] 1 I1")
Embryonic disks. Ij
Exocelomic Membranes, amniotic is
Membrane

Roofof Amniotic
cavity
Amniotic Membrane

floor of Amniotic Carily

Wall of Exocelomic Cavity

Roof of Exocelomic
Cavity

Fig.12: The bilaminar embryonic disc and the two cavities. 23

 Embyrology part2
Development of the Chorionic Sac
when is
formed
ü The extraembryonic coelom will divide the extraembryonic
-

mesoderm into 2 layers:

a. Extraembryonic somatic mesoderm: this covers the amnion

⑳

and connecting stalk and lines the trophoblast.

b. Extraembryonic splanchnic mesoderm: this covers the
A

umbilical vesicle.

ü The extramembryonic somatic mesoderm and the two layers

of the trophoblast form the Chorion.

25
ü By the end of the 2nd week, the primary chorionic villi and
the secondary umbilical vesicle are formed. At this time, the
-

extraembryonic coelom is called the chorionic cavity.

ü The embryo (with its amniotic cavity) and the umbilical

vesicle are suspended in the chorionic cavity by the
connecting stalk.
-Easi
ü Some cells of the hypoblast will become
columnar to form the prechordal plate
(future site of mouth).

Fig.13: The prechordal plate. 26

in some book
itis called
Yolk sack
part of it L

pass through it was called the

the umbilical
cord exosilomic cavity
A this
I

cavity is not
used to store food CY in
Imberyo
thus the name yolk sack
is not
correctbutnutrients
pass through it

Fig.14: Events late in the 2nd week. In

(A), note the formation of the
extraembryonic mesoderm. In (B), the
extraembryonic coelomic spaces
appear.

27
 Within the chorionic cavity the embryo with its
•
W

Covers the amnion amniotic cavity & the embryical vesicle is

• forms the connecting stalk
• lines the Cytotrophoblast suspended within it by the connecting stalk

• Extraemberyonic somatic mesoderm

• Cytotrophoblast
• Sensitivetrophoblast

gis
/ Chorion
>
Liquid filled sac ,. -B
ultrasounds.
55148.
trophoblast
clotrophilitopbiasis ⑧
* Covers the umbilical vesicle

C I

as this cavity grow part cavity outside the emberyo

a

this color will surround the

of the primary embolical amnion &
the molecular vesicle except
vesicle will be cutof at the
competingslyk

Fig.14 (continued): Events late in the 2nd

week. In (C), note the division of the After formation of the primary umbilicals vesicle the cavity
extraembryonic mesoderm into two parts. will be called the chorionic cavity
In (D), the chorionic cavity is formed.
28
D
 The 3rd Week of Development

ü This week is characterized by the rapid development of the

N

embryo.

ü Morphogenesis – the process by which the form and

structure of various organs and parts of the body develop -
begins during this week.

ü It’s during this week that the mother usually notices her
pregnancy because of a missed period. Pregnancy can be
-

confirmed by ultrasound.
29
 formation of induce
Notochord formation Neurulation
Primitive
Streak formation of

formation Mesoderm formation

formation of
Blood vessels & Heart
Somite formation
formation

Allantois formation Events occurring during

the 3rd week of
Intraembryonic coelom formation
development
Further development of the Chorionic Villi
30

Primitive Streak formation
(Some people celebrate their birth some celebrate their
graduation some other celebrate theirs wedding but people
should celebrate is the formation of their Primitive Streak
because it is probably the most important event during the
development) ‫حكي واحد تاع امبيريو‬

Δ At the beginning of the 3rd week, some epiblast cells migrate

towards the midline to form a thickened linear band of cells on
the dorsal surface called the primitive streak.

Δ New cells are added to its caudal end, while its cranial end
enlarges to form the primitive node.

Δ A narrow primitive groove appears in the streak and ends in a

small depression in the primitive node called the primitive pit.

31
 posterior
The dorsal aspect
of the embryo - Superior view
Somatic x
->

extraembryonic
-
Codal end

Mesoderm L I It is the direction of the

coral end of the emberyo
-

Cranial end of the end

~ epiblast -
( her the head will form)
R
The embryo is connected epiblast
• Within the streak itself I have a
hypoblast
by this stalk primitive groove & in the primitive
node ( the expanded cranial end of
Anterior
The abdominal or the ventral
side of the embryo

the primitive streak) I have a

exene depression called the primitive pit
surrounded
<-2',31,1 18s iis
by:
175bs.
premative ., g's, "
Because it is extending
Splachic extra embryonic Node

Sagital, from the head to the back Membrane

& dividing the body into
section right & left part

Fig.15: Formation of the primitive streak. Formation of the notochord is shown in red. 32
• The mesoderm is responsible for creating most of the connective tissue in the embryo

Δ Cells derived from the primitive streak will completely replace the
hypoblast to form the definitive endoderm.

Δ Therefore, the hypoblast will play no role in the formation of any part
of the developing embryo; its function is thought to be to ensure the
formation of a single primitive streak in its proper location.

Δ After that, the primitive streak forms mesenchymal cells that will pass
between the two layers of the bilaminar disc to form a middle layer
called the mesoderm.

Δ The upper layer of the disc is now called the ectoderm, whereas the
lower layer is called the endoderm.

33
Δ So, at this stage the embryo is formed of a Trilaminar disc.

Δ The process by which the bilaminar disc is converted into a trilaminar

disc is called Gastrulation.

Δ Mesenchymal cells have the ability to form many types of cells, like:
fibroblasts, chondroblasts, osteoblasts, etc….

Δ The formation of mesenchymal cells from the streak continues until the
early part of the 4th week. After that the formation decreases and the
streak will, eventually, diminish to an insignificant structure in the
sacrococcygeal region of the embryo.

34
 en d
nial
Cra -

Fig.16: After formation

of the primitive streak,
SJ1is,
1

the craniocaudal axis, Coral end

the cranial and caudal

ends, and the dorsal
surface of the embryo
become recognizable. In
(B), the primitive streak
forms the mesoderm.

35
 Notochord formation
• Some mesenchymal cells from the primitive
pit extend cranially towards the prechordal
plate (but not beyond it) forming a cellular
cord in the midline called the notochordal
process.

• This process acts as the axis of the embryo

and it’s the basis around which the axial
skeleton is formed. The Notochordal process doesn't form the
axial skeleton the skeleton will form around it

• When the vertebrae form, this process

disappears. However, parts of it remain as the
nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.
So the nucleus pulposus are the remnants of the notochord process
Fig.17: Formation of the notochord. Note
exactly the cells inside of it
the formation of the neural plate.
Neurulation

Neurulation is the process by which the neural plate and folds are formed
and their subsequent closure to form the neural tube. It’s induced by the
underlying notochord.
It means that a structure will
stimulate another structure

Δ As the notochord develops, it will induce the overlying ectoderm

to form a plate of thickened neuroepothelial cells called the
neural plate.• So the notochord process will release certain substances that will stimulate the
ectodermal cells over lining it to form a thickened plate of cells called the ( neural plate )

Δ The neural plate corresponds exactly to the notochord process

initially. Later on, it will extend beyond it.

37
• Note: the primitive streak is in the ectodermal layer while the notochordal
process is in the mesodermal layer (deep to what we are seeing)

The notochord process will stimulate the formation of

this neural plate & as the notochord grow the neural
plate will grow with it
-Note: that the primitive streak is getting smaller

Fig.18: Relations between the neural plate, notochord and primitive streak.
38
Δ Later during this week, the neural plate will be invaginated by the
neural groove which has a neural fold on each of its sides.

Δ By the end of this week, the neural folds fuse with each other
converting the neural plate into the neural tube which will separate
from the surface ectoderm.

Δ As the neural tube forms, some of the neuroepithelial cells will

separate from the ectoderm to form a curved group of cells called the
neural crest.
Watch the video on the power point team slides

↳ neue

Fig.19: Animation showing the process of neurulation 39

 Structure Gives rise to
• Central Nervous System (Brain and
Neural Tube Spinal Cord)
• Retina • The relation between the
( adrenal medulla) & the
Such dorsal gangilia
roof
peripheral ganglia is that the
as

• Peripheral Ganglia & sensory of the Cranial N.

gangilia
& last the Autonomic gangilia adrenal medulla was is a
Neural Crest • Adrenal Gland Medulla similar to ganglia it receives
the same nicotinic receptors
• Pigment Cells milanocytes
such as in skin called the preganglion
sympathetic fibers they supply
the adrenal medulla as if it
Ectoderm after separation of was a ganglia
• Epidermis of skin
the neural tube

40