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EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT & STEM CELL COMPENDIUM

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23. Weeks 4 to 6 of Development: The Embryonic Period

Review of MEDICAL EMBRYOLOGY Book by BEN PANSKY, Ph.D, M.D.

22. Week 3 Of Development: Trophoblast And Villus Develop… PREV TABLE OF CONTENT NEXT 24. Embryonic Period: Weeks 7 And 8 And External Embryo …

I. Introduction: during this relatively short embryonic period (weeks 4 to 8), one weeks 4 to 6 of development: the embryonic period: image #1
sees the beginnings of all major internal and external structural (organ and
organ systems) develop during which time the 3 germ layers give rise to specific
tissues and organs - the period of organogenesis. The shape of the embryo
changes, and major features of the external body form (morphogenesis)
become recognizable by the end of month 2. In addition, major congenital
malformations can occur due to exposure of the embryo to teratogens during
this developmental period

II. Week 4 of development

A. ABOUT DAYS 22 TO 23: embryo is almost straight or slightly curved, and
somites create conspicuous surface elevations. The neural tube is
closed opposite the somites but is open at its caudal and rostral
neuropores
B. ABOUT DAY 24: the first (mandibular) and second (hyoid) branchial
arches become distinct
1. Most of the mandibular process of the first arch gives rise to the
lower jaw and a rostral extension of it; the maxillary process
helps form the upper jaw
2. Head- and tailfolds cause a slight curvature of the embryo
3. The heart produces a large ventral prominence
C. ABOUT DAY 26: 3 pairs of branchial arches are seen and the rostral
neuropore closes
1. The forebrain creates a distinct elevation on the head and, with
longitudinal folding, the embryo now has a distinct C-shaped
curvature to it
2. Transverse folding causes a narrowing of the connection
between yolk sac and embryo
3. The arm buds are now recognizable as small swellings on the
body wall's ventral surface
4. The otic pits, the primordia for the inner ears, are clearly seen
D. ABOUT DAY 28 (END OF WEEK 4): the fourth pair of branchial arches and
the leg buds are seen
1. The lens placodes (ectodermal thickenings) represent the future
lenses on the side of the head

III. Week 5 of development: there are fewer body form changes this week
A. HEAD GROWTH is accelerated as a result of rapid brain development
1. The face contacts the heart prominence
2. The second (hyoid) branchial arch overgrows arches 3 and 4 to
form an ectodermal depression, the cervical sinus
3. The forelimbs show some regional differentiation as the hand
plates develop
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IV. Week 6 of development
 A. LIMB BUDS, especially the forelimbs, show regional differentiation. Hind
limbs develop later
1. Elbow and wrist areas are identifiable
2. Paddle-shaped hand plates develop digital ridges, the finger rays,
for future fingers
B. SOME SMALL SWELLINGS appear around the groove between the first
branchial arches. The groove becomes the external auditory meatus, the
swellings the ear auricle
C. THE EYE becomes obvious due to appearance of retinal pigment
D. THE HEAD appears larger relative to the trunk and bends even farther
over the heart prominence
1. Bending is due to the cervical flexure as a result of bending of the
brain in the cervical region
2. The trunk and neck begin to straighten out
E. SOMITES are visible in the lumbosacral region by the middle of this week

Related Pages

Related Organs

Eye

Head Mesenchyme

Limb

Somite

Related Anatomical Compartments

Somite > Cervical Mesenchymal Sclerotome

Somite > Cervical Somite

Somite > Dorsal Cervical Somite

Somite > Dorsal Lumbar Somite

Somite > Dorsal Sacral Somite

Somite > Dorsal Thoracic Somite

Somite > Lumbar Mesenchymal Sclerotome

Somite > Lumbar Somite

Somite > Occipital Somite

Somite > Sacral Mesenchymal Sclerotome

Somite > Sacral Somite

Somite > Thoracic Mesenchymal Sclerotome

Somite > Thoracic Somite

Somite > Ventral Cervical Somite

Somite > Ventral Lumbar Somite

Somite > Ventral Sacral Somite

Somite > Ventral Thoracic Somite

Related Cells

Paraxial Mesoderm > Trunk Mesoderm > Paraxial Mesoderm Cells

Paraxial Mesoderm > Presomitic Mesoderm > Presegmented Somitic

Mesenchyme Cells

Paraxial Mesoderm > Presomitic Mesoderm > Presomitic Mesoderm Cells x

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 Somite > Sacral Somite > Somite Epithelial Cells

Somite > Occipital Somite > Somite Epithelial Cells

Somite > Lumbar Somite > Somite Epithelial Cells

Somite > Thoracic Somite > Somite Epithelial Cells

Somite > Cervical Somite > Somite Epithelial Cells

22. Week 3 Of Development: Trophoblast And Villus Develop… 24. Embryonic Period: Weeks 7 And 8 And External Embryo …
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