Embriogenensis

It is the intrauterine development period of the

human organism starting with the fusion of the
sexual gametes until the 8th week of the
intrauterine life.
Embryogenesis follows three distinctive stage :
1. Premorfogenesis – segmentation of the
zygote into blastomeres, giving birth to the
morula and the blastocyst
2. Primordial morphogenesis – achieved by
gastrulation, thus forming the embrionic
layers : the ectoblast, the mezoblast and the
endoblast, forming the gastrula.
3. Secondary morfogenesis – from the three
embryonic layers which are forming the
future organs.
The chronological display of the embryogenesis
, starting with the fertilized egg stage or the
zigote stage presumes :
1. The segmentation of the zygote, which is
transforming into morula.
2. Blastocistogenesis which forms the uni-, bi-
and trilaminar blastocist, at the same time
with the implantation process – the
blastocist nesting into the uterine mucosa.
3. Gastrulation which forms the 3 embryonic
layers.
 Neurulation, characterised by the primitive
neural tube and neural crests formation.
 During its intrauterine development the
new formed organism is known as concept
or product concept.
 Starting with the fertilization moment until
the first division the term used is egg or
zygote.
 In primele trei saptamani de dezvoltare, numite
si perioada preembrionara conceptul este numit
preembrion.
 Intre saptamanile 4-8 dupa fecundatie, numita si
perioada embrionara apar schitele primelor
organe si conceptul capata aspect uman,
numindu-se embrion.
 During the first three weeks of development ,
also knows as the preembrionic period, the
concept is known as preembryo.
 Between the 4th and the 8th week after
fertilization
9 weeks human
embyo
 Starting with the 3rd month of the intrauterine life
the embryo becomes a fetus, owing to the
process of organogenesis
 Preembrionic stage (week 1-3)

The human zygote, resulted from the ovocite

fertilization by the sperm, begins the
segmentation process. Through this
process it forms 2-4-8 cell divisions.
Once the zygote reached the two-cell stage it
follows a series of mitotic divisions that lead
to a rapid development of the cell number.
These cells that in turn become smaller with
every division are known as blastomeres.
After 3 to 4 divisions, the zygote turns into
morula. This stage is developed after 3
days following the fertilization, and the
embryo is ready to enter the uterus. The
morula is constituted from a group of cells
with an outer coat and an external one.
The internal coat forms the embryonic
tissues while the external coat forms the
trophoblast which subsequently
contributes to the placenta formation.
 Blastocyte formation
By the time the morula enters the uterus the
liquid starts to penetrate zona pellucida in
the intercellular space of the internal coat.
Thus the intercellular spaces become
confluent and form a unique cavity, the
blastocele. The internal coat cells are
localized at one of the poles, while the
external coat cells flatten and form the
epithelial wall of the blastocyst. The zona
pelucida disappears thus permitting the
beginning of the implantation.
 Bilaminar Germ Disc
(Second Week of
Development))
 At the eighth day of development the blastocyst
is partially embedded in the endometrial stroma
(3). In the area over the embryoblast, the
troophoblast has differentiated into two layers:
 (a) an inner layer of mono-nucleated cells, the
cytotrophoblast, and
 (b) an outer, multinucleated zone without distinct
cell boundaries, the syncytiotrophoblast or
syncytium.
Implantation of the zygote and the layers of the germ disc.
 The cells of the inner cell mass or embryoblast
also differentiate into two layers:
 (a) a layer of small, cuboidal cells, known as the
hypoblast layer; and
 (b) a layer of high columnar cells, the epiblast
layer.
 The cells of each of the germ layers form a flat
disc and together they are known as the
bilaminar germ disc..
 At the same time a small cavity appears within
the epiblast. This cavity enlarges to become the
amnionic cavity. .
By the 13th day of the embryonic stage, the cells of
the cytotrophoblast proliferate locally and
penetrate into the syncytiotrophoblast, thus
forming cellular columns surrounded by
syncytium. The cellular columns with the
syncytial covering become known as the primary
stem villi.. In the meantime, the endodermal
germ layer produces additional cells that migrate
along the inside of the exocoelomic membrane.
These cells proliferate and gradually form a new
cavity within the exocoelomic cavity. This new
cavity is known as the secondary or definitive
yolk sac In acelasi timo, celomul extraembrionar
se extinde si formeaza cavitatea corionica.
 Meanwhile, the extra-embryonic coelom
expands and forms a large cavity known as the
chorionic cavity. The extra-embryonic mesoderm
lining the inside of the cytotrophoblast is then
known as the chorionic plate. The only place
where extra-embryonic mesoderm traverses the
chorionic cavity is in the connecting stalk. With
the development of blood vessels, the stalk will
become the umbilical cord.
 By the end of the second week, the germ disc is
represented by two apposed cell discs: the epiblast,
which forms the floor of the continuously expanding
amniotic cavity, and the hypoblast, which forms the roof
of the secondary yolk sac. In its cephalic region the
hypoblastic disc shows a slight thickening known as the
prochordal plate.
Blastocyst - day 13

1. Secondary yolk sac

2. Exocoelomic cyst
3. Aminotic cavity
4. Extra-embryonic coelom
5. Epiblast
6. Connecting stalk
7. Hypoblast
8. Primary villi
9. Trophoblastic lacunae
10. Extraembryonic somatic mesoderm
11. Extraembryonic splanchnic mesoderm
 Trilaminar Germ Disc
(Third Week of Development)
 The most typical event occurring during
the third week is the formation of the
primitive streak on the surface of the
epiblast.
 Firstly the streak is vaguely defined, but in a 15- to 16-
day embryo it is clearly visible as a narrow groove with
slightly bulging regions on either side. The cephalic end
of the streak, known as the primitive node, consists of a
slightly elevated area surrounding a small pit. In a
transverse section through the region of the primitive
groove it is seen that the cells are flask-shaped and that
a new cell layer develops between the epiblast and
hypoblast .
 It is now generally believed that cells of the
epiblast migrate in the direction of the primitive
streak to form the mesoderm and probably a
portion (if not all) of the intraembryonic
endoderm. On arrival in the region of the streak,
they become flask-shaped, detach from the
epiblast and slip underneath it. This inward
movement is known as invagination. Once the
cells have arrived between the epiblast and
hypoblast, they form an intermediate cell layer,
known as intra-embryonic mesoderm. This is the
mesodermal or third germ layer and its
establishment is known as gastrulation.
As more and more cells move in between
the epiblast and hypoblast (gradually they
migrate beyond the margin of the disc and
establish contact with the extra-embryonic
mesoderm covering the yolk sac and
amnion in the cephalic direction,) they
pass on each side of the prochordal plate
to meet each other in front of this area,
where they form the cardiogenic or heart
forming plate
 Formation of Notochord
The cells invaginating in the primitive pit
move straight forward in cephalic direction
until they reach the prochordal plate. In
this manner they form a tube-like process,
known as the notochordal or head
process. The small, central canal is
considered as the forward extension of the
primitive pit.
With further development the notochordal cells
proliferate and form a solid cord, known as the
definitive notochord. This structure in turn
becomes detached from the endoderm, which
once again forms an continuous layer in the roof
of the yolk sac. The notochord forms now a
midline axis, which will serve as the basis of the
axial skeleton. It extends from the prochordal
plate (the future buccopharyngeal membrane) to
the primitive node. A small canal, the neurenteric
canal, temporarily connects the yolk sac and the
amniotic cavity.
 Alongside with the formation of the cloacal
membrane, the posterior wall of the yolk sac
forms a little diverticulum which extends into the
connecting stalk. This diverticulum, the
allantoenteric diverticulum, or allantois, appears
at about the 16th day of development. Even
though in some lower vertebrates the allantois
serves as a reservoir for the excretion products
of the renal system, in man it remains
rudimentary and plays no role in development.
Notochord and the
layers of the germ
disc.
Notochord formation
Notochord formation
 Growth of Germ Disc
The embryonic disc, at first flat and almost round,
gradually becomes elongated with a broad
cephalic and a narrow caudal end. Expansion of
the embryonic disc occurs mainly in the cephalic
region; the region of the primitive streak remains
more or less the same size. It must be realized,
however, that growth and elongation of the
cephalic part of the disc are caused by a
permanent migration of cells from the primitive
streak region in a cephalic direction.
Invagination of surface cells in the primitive
streak and their subsequent migration in
forward and lateral directions continue
until the end of the fourth week. At that
stage, the primitive streak shows
regressive changes, quickly diminishes in
size, and soon disappears. It is, however,
not unusual that remnants of the primitive
streak persist and at birth cause tumors in
the sacrococcygeal region. These tumors
often contain tissues derived from all three
germ layers.
Bilaminar disc layers
 Embryonic Period
(Fourth to Eighth Week)
Throughout the fourth to eighth week of development, a
period known as the embryonic period, all of the three
germ layers gives rise to a number of specific tissues
and organs. By the end of the embryonic period the main
organ systems have been established. As a
consequence of the organ formation, the shape of the
embryo changes seriously and the major features of the
external body form are recognizable by the end of the
second month.
At the same time with the formation of the notochord, and
in all probability under its inductive influence, the
ectoderm overlying the notochord gives rise to the
central nervous system.
The neural plate, steadily expands toward
the primitive streak. By the end of the third
week the lateral edges of the neural plate
become more elevated to form the neural
folds, while the depressed midregion
forms a groove, the neural groove.
Gradually the neural folds come close to
each other in the midline, where they fuse.
This fusion begins in the region of the
future neck (fourth somite) and proceeds
in cephalic and caudal directions
 As a consequence, the neural tube is
formed. At the cephalic and caudal ends of
the embryo the tube remains for the
moment in open connection with the
amniotic cavity by way of the anterior and
posterior neuropores, respectively
Neural plate formation
Somites formation
Germ layers derivative
 The ectodermic germinative layer forms the
organs and the structures that maintain
contact with the environment :
1. Central nervous system
2. Peripheral nervous system
3. Sensory epithelium of ear, nose and eye.
4. Skin, including hair and nails
5. The pituitary, mammary and sweat glands,
enamel of the teeth.
 A very important component of the mesodermal
germ layer is formed by the somites, which
give rise to the myotome (muscle tissue),
sclerotome (cartilage and bone) and
dermatome (subcutaneous tissue) which are
all supporting tissues of the body. The
mesoderm also gives rise to:
1. The vascular system.
2. The urogenital system.
3. Spleen.
4. Suprarenal glands.
 The endodermal germ layer gives rise to:
1. The gastrointestinal tract
2. The respiratory tract
3. Urinary bladder
4. Tonsils, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus,
liver, pancreas
5. Tympanic cavity, Eustachian tube.
The germ layers derivatives
Special embryology
Organogenesis
 The Skeletal System
 The skeletal system develops from the
mesenchyme.
 The flat bones of the skull undergo a
membranous ossification when the
mesenchyme cells are transformed into
osteoblasts.
 In the long bones of the limbs the mesenchyme
is condensing and is forming the hyaline
cartilage.
 The ossification centers appear in the
cartilage models and the bone ossifies due
to the endochondral ossification.
 The ribs and the vertebral column develop
from the sclerotome compartments of the
underlying sclerotome.
 The Muscular System
 The muscular system has a mesodermal origin.
 Most of the skeletal muscules are derived from
the myotome that is providing the myoblasts for
the multinucleated muscle fibers.
 The head and neck muscles originate from the
branchial arch mesoderm.
 The smooth muscles and the cardiac mucle
fibers are derived from splanchnic mesoderm.
 The Cardiovascular System
 The heart, blood vessels and blocd cells
are derivative of the mesodermal germ
layer.
 The central position of the cardiogenic
area is located initially anterior to the
prochirdal plate and the neural plate.
 By the 22th day of development the
cardiac tubes form a single bent heart
tube. This tube consists of an inner
endocardial tube and a surrounding
epimyocardial mantle.
 Between the fourth and the seventh week
of development, the heart is divided into a
typical four – chambered structure.
 In atrium, a crest descending from the roof
of the atrium leaves a lumen “ostium
primum” for communication between the
atrium. Later, a septum secundum is
formed. Only at birth the two septa are
pressed one against the other and the
communication is closed due to the
increased pressure in the left atrium.
 The interventricular septum consists of a
thick muscular part and a thin
membranous part.
Cardiac arches formation
Atrial and ventricular septum
formation
The Digestive System
 The epithelium of the digestive system is
of endodermal origin and the muscular
along with the peritoneal components are
of mesodermal origin.
 This system extends from the
buccopharyngeal membrane to the cloacal
membrane.
 The digestive system in embryo is
divided into:
1. Foregut
2. Midgut
3. Hindgut
1.Foregut 5.Pancreas
2.Thyroid 6. Midgut
3.Lung 7. Hindgut
4.Stomach
 The foregut forms the esophagus, the
trachea, the lung buds, the stomach, the
proximal duodenum and bile duct, the
liver, the pancreas.
 The midgut forms the primary intestinal
loops , the distal duodenum. The primary
loop protrudes by the 6th week into the
umbilical cord- physiological herniation
and by the 10th week it returns into the
abdominal cavity; during this period it is
rotating 270 ° counterclockwise.
The hindgut forms the region between the
distal 1/3 of the transverse colon to the
upper part of the anal canal. The caudal
part of the hindgut is divided by the
urorectal septum into the rectum and anal
canal posteriorly and urinary bladder and
urethra anteriorly.
Lesser and greater The primitive gout
omentum formation formation
 The Nervous System
 The central nervous system is of
ectodermal origin.
 At the beginning it is formed by the neural
plate, who’s edges become folded, these
neural folds approach each other in the
midline to fuse into the neural tube.
 The CNS forms a tubular structure with a
broad cephalic portion, the brain, and a
long caudal portion, the spinal cord.
 The brain forms the cranial part of the
CNS and consists originally of three
brain vesicles :
1. The rhombencephalon.
2. The mesencephalon.
3. The prosencephalon or forebrain.
CNS components
 The Limbs
 The limb buds become visible at the
beginning of the 5th week as a paddle
shaped buds.
 At the apex of the buds the covering layer
of the ectoderm is thickened and is known
as the apical ectodermal ridge.
 By the 6th week of development, the
terminal portion of the buds become
flattened – hand and foot plates.
 While the external shape is being
established, the mesenchyme in the buds
begins to condense and by the 6th week of
development the hyaline cartilage models
can be recognized.
Limb bud formation