Gastrulation: is the process of formation of

the 3 germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm

& endoderm).
 It begins by the formation of a mid line
groove on the epiblast called primitive
streak.
 The cephalic end of this streak is called
primitive node. In the center of this node
there is primitive pit.
 The epiblastic cells migrate & reach the
primitive streak.
 They slip under the primitive streak
(invaginate) forming endoderm.
 Some of invaginated epiblastic cells
forms the intra-embryonic mesoderm.
 Thus the epiblast is the source of the 3
germ layers, which are ectoderm
(dorsally), endoderm (ventrally) and in-
between these 2 layers is the mesoderm.
 From these 3 germ layers arise all organs
& tissues of the body.
- Prenotochordal cells invaginate in the
primitive node & move forward cranially in
the midline until they reach the prechordal
plate.
- As the hypoblast is replaced by endoderm
cells moving in at the streak, cells of the
notochordal plate proliferate and detach
from the endoderm. They then form a solid
cord of cells, the definitive notochord.
- The notochord is a solid mid line axis, so it
forms fetal skeleton. Formation of the 3 germ
layers occurred in a cephalocaudal direction,
this means that the 3 germ layer are establish
first in the head region then the tail region.
Also tissues and organs develop in a
cephalocaudal direction.
1.It forms the basis of the
axial skeleton (bones of the
head and vertebral column).
2. It induces the overlying
ectoderm to thicken and
form the neural plate; the
primordium of the central
nervous system (Notochord
is the organizer for nervous
system formation) .
3. The notochord degenerates
and disappears as the bodies
of the vertebrae form. Its
remnant is the nucleus
pulposus of the intervertebral
discs.
4. It functions as the primary
inducer in the early embryo i.e.
it is a prime mover in a series
of signal-calling episodes that
ultimately transform
unspecialized embryonic cells
into definitive adult tissues
and organs
 Third week of development is a
very sensitive period in fetal
development. Many factors such
as drugs, alcohol or irradiation to
the mother may cause congenital
anomalies to her embryo.
 Holoprosencephaly
 Caudal dysgenesis
 Sacrococcygeal teratomas
 Situs inversus
 Establishment of body axes anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral, left-right
occurs early in embryogenesis and is probably initiated during the
morula stage of development.
 At this bilaminar disc stage, cells in the AVE express genes essential for
head formation, including the transcription factors OTX2, LIM1 , and
HESX1 , and the secreted factors cerberus and lefty1, which inhibit
nodal activity, thereby establishing the cranial end of the embryo.
 Another member of the TGF- family, bone morphogenetic protein 4
(BMP4) , is secreted throughout the embryonic disc (Fig. 5.4). In the
presence of this protein and FGF , mesoderm will be ventralized to
contribute to kidneys ( intermediate mesoderm), blood, and body wall
mesoderm (lateral plate mesoderm).
 HNF-3B maintains the node and later induces regional specificity in the
forebrain and midbrain areas. Without HNF-3B , embryos fail to
gastrulate properly and lack forebrain and midbrain structures.
 Regulation of dorsal mesoderm formation in middle and caudal regions of
the embryo is controlled by the BRACHYURY (T) gene expressed in the
node, notochord precursor cells, and notochord. This gene is essential for
cell migration through the primitive streak.
 Laterality (L-R sidedness) is also established early in development. FGF8 is
secreted by cells in the node and primitive streak, and this growth factor
induces expression of NODAL. NODAL expression is then restricted to
the left side of the embryo by the accumulation of serotonin (5-HT) on the
left side. Th ese high concentrations of 5-HT on the left activate expression
of the transcription factor MAD3 that restricts NODAL expression to the
left side of the primitive node.
 Ultimately, Nodal protein in the left lateral plate mesoderm initiates a
signaling cascade that includes LEFTY2 to upregulate PITX2.
 PITX2 is a homeobox-containing transcription factor that is a “master
gene” responsible for establishing left –sidedness.
 Genes regulating right-sided development are not as well defined, although
expression of the transcription factor SNAIL is restricted to the right
lateral plate mesoderm and probably regulates eff ector genes responsible
for establishing the right side.
1- At the beginning of the 3rd week,
the trophoplast is characterized
by primary villi.
 It is formed by cytotrophoblast
covered with
syncytiotrophoblast.
 They bathed in the intervillus
spaces.
2- The mesodermal cells invade these
villi. The newly formed villi are
called secondary villi.
3- The mesodermal core inside the
secondary villi form small blood
vessels, the villi after the
appearance of blood vessels are
called tertiary villi.
 The trophoblast after the
formation of villi is called
chorion.
 The blood vessels in the villi are
connected to the circulation of
the embryo.
1. Nutrition of the embryo (free
villi).
2. Fixation of the embryo
(anchoring villi).
3. Respiration of the embryo.
4. Excretion of the embryo.
1ry villi 2ry
villi

3ry villi
- With development of
the embryo, the
chorionic villi toward
the decidua basalis
grow and become well
developed. So the
chorion there is called
chorion frondosum.
- While the villi toward
the decidua capsularis
become poorly
developed, the chorion
there is called chorion chorion frondosum

leava. Chorion leava