MAJOR EVENTSOF THIRD WEEK OF EMBRYONIC

DEVELOPMENT

1-G astrulation
2-Notochord formation
3-Neurulation

1-GASTRULATION
Is the transformation ofthe (bi-laminar) two layer disk (epiblast, hypoblast)
toa three-layer disk (tri-laminar) (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

howdoes gastrulation happen?

Epiblastis laying above hypoblast, in the beginning ofthird week the cells ofthe epiblast
migrate downward and inward intothe hypoblast, as this action occurs fromboth side a
structure forms shaped like a waterfall and this structure is called primitivestreak
Abovetheprimitivestreakagrooveis created and this grooveis called primitivenode.

With the formation ofthe primitive streak, gastrulation happens

The cells inside the hypoblastare nowcalled endoderm
The cells on the epiblastare now called ectoderm
The remaining cells between these two layers are mesoderm

2-NOTOCHORD FORMATION:
After formation ofprimitive node, a hollow structure shaped like a tunnelis formed
This structure starts from the ectoderm and elongates until itopens up in the endoderm
This opening lasts two days fromday 16 to day 18 and this opening is for equilibration of
pressure between yolk sac and amniotic cavity, after thatitwill close and becomes a
structure in the mesoderm.
3-NEURULATION

(Is the transformation ofneural plate to neural tube)

After formation ofthe three layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm), a layer ofcells on the
surface ofectoderm thickness this layer ofcells are called neural tube, then these cells form
two layers offolds on each side and these folds grows towards each other to formneural
tube
The folds ofcells are called neuralfold, the groove between themis called neural groove
This neural tubewill formtheperipheral nervous systemin thefutureembryo.

FOURTHWEEK OF EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

Folding ofthe embryo happens in this week

There are two types ofembryonic folding which are:

Head-tail folding
Lateral folding

Head tail folding occurs sothatthe yolk sac will become an enclosed tube and this tube will
formthe G I tractofthe future embryo while the lateralfolding occurs so thatamniotic cavity
would surround the entire developing embryo and protectituntil the baby Is born.

The videos I uploaded in E learning is very clear in explaining these events

Watch themtounderstand better.