Name: ____________________________________ Score: ___________

Date Submitted: ____________________________

LABORATORY EXERCISE – 10 mm PIG EMBRYO MORPHOLOGY

The 10 mm pig embryo is comparatively similar to the 12 mm human embryo or 7 weeks
of development. The head region is bent at right angles because of the cephalic and cervical
flexures. The cephalic flexure is clearly seen at the level of the mesencephalon and the cervical
flexure at the level of myelencephalon.
The body regions are clearly distinguishable. The embryo has head, trunk, tail regions
with anterior and posterior limb buds.
The head has bulges of olfactory pits, optic cup and lens. The first branchial arch is large
and evident, while the second and third arches are hidden.
The trunk region is straight due to the development of the heart, liver and kidneys. The
trunck somites are seen as bulges.
I. Label the 10 mm pig embryo illustration.

1
II. Questions for research
1. The Rathke’s pocket together with the infundibulum forms which part of the brain? What
are the divisions that differentiate from this derivative? What are the functions of each
division?

2. What is the constriction that separates the mesencephalon from metencephalon?

3. Identify the cranial nerves that can be seen in 10 mm pig embryo and their description
and/or origin.