2nd and 3rd Week of

Embryonic Development
Asst. Prof. Filiz TEPEKÖY
CLEAVAGE Polar body

Zona pellucida

Blastomere

2-cell stage
4-cell stage

Zona pellucida

8-cell stage
Morula
Posterior Wall of uterus
Blastocyst

Morula Zygote
8-cell 4-cell 2-cell
Fertilization

Oocyte
Growing Secndary Developing
follicle follicle follicle
Mature
follicle
Primary
follicle Oocyte

Blood vessels

Epithelium

Corpus albicans

Released oocyte
Mature corpus luteum
Ruptured follicle
Atretic follicles
Endometrium
Components of the
developing connective tissue
 Polar body

Zona pellucida

Blastomere

2-cell stage
4-cell stage

Zona pellucida
8-cell stage
Morula

Inner cell mass

Degenerated
zona pellucida

Blastocyst cavity

Trophoblast
Early blastocyst
Late blastocyts
 Endometrial gland

Endometrial
capillary

Endometrial
Embryonic pole epithelium

Inner cell mass

Blastocyst
cavity

Trophoblast
 Endometrial
connective tissue

Glandular
secretion

Syncytiotrophoblast

Inner cell mass

Cytotrophoblast

Hypoblast (primary endoderm)

Blastocyst cavity

Uterine cavity
• Decidualization is the collective term for
the changes that the endometrium
undergoes in pregnancy.

• Decidual cells have a high secretory

capacity of laminin and fibronectin
(both have adhesive qualities) and the
vascularity of the tissue is improved.

• At implantation these cells accumulate

fats and glycogen.
Murakami K., Kuroda K., Brosens J.J. (2018) Perturbation of Endometrial Decidualization.
In: Kuroda K., Brosens J., Quenby S., Takeda S. (eds) Treatment Strategy for Unexplained
Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage. Springer, Singapore
 GASTRULATION
(Formation of Germ Layers)
• Bilaminar embryonic disc >> trilaminar embryonic disc

• Beginning of morphogenesis

• Starts with formation of primitive streak.

NEURULATION

• Formation of neural plates and neural folds.

• Formation of neural tube
• Completed at the end of 4th week by closure of caudal neuropore.
• The embryo at this stage is called ‘neurula’
NOTOCHOR
D
• Notochord is elongated with
invagination of the cells in
primitive groove

• Primitive groove forms notochord

canal
• Notochord plate

• Notochord

• Continuous endoderm
Neural groove:

Develops in Day 18 as an invagination of

neural plate

Neural folds at both sides

Neural folds are more significant in

cranial part of embryo >> brain
development
 SOMITES

• Mesoderm differentiation
• 42-44 couple at the end of 5th week
• Determination of the embryo age
• Axillary skeleton
• Muscles related to axillary skeleton and dermis of the adjacent skin
ANGIOGENESIS
 Extraembryonic mesoderm of yolk sac
 Chorion
 Connective stalk