THIRD TO EIGTH WEEK: THE

EMBRYONIC STAGE

JEROME U. TAMAYAO
Cells from the epiblast migrate through the primitive groove
to replace cells of the hypoblast,
thus forming the definitive endoderm.

Buccopharyngeal
membrane

Epiblast (blue)

Primitive groove Definitive endoderm

Cloacal membrane
 Dorsal View of the Embryonic Disc
The animation will depict ingress of cells from the epiblast through
the primitive groove to form the intraembryonic mesoderm (~day 16).

Buccopharyngeal
membrane

Primitive groove

Epiblast (blue)

Cloacal membrane
Definitive endoderm
Derivatives of the ectoderm germ layer
At the beginning of the third week of
development, the ectodermal germ layer has the
shape of a disc that is broader in the cephalic
than in the caudal region (Fig. 6.1).
 Neurulation

Neurulation is the process

whereby the neural plate
forms the neural tube. By the
end of the third week, the
lateral edges of the neural
plate become elevated to
form neural folds, and the
depressed midregion forms
the neural groove
 As a result, the neural tube is formed. Until fusion
is complete, the cephalic and caudal ends of the neural
tube communicate with the amniotic cavity by way of the
anterior (cranial) and posterior (caudal) neuropores,
respectively (Figs. 6.3C,D and 6.4A). Closure of the
cranial neuropore occurs at approximately day 25 (18- to
20-somite stage), whereas the posterior neuropore closes
at day 28 (25-somite stage) (Fig. 6.4B). Neurulation is
then complete, and the central nervous system is
represented by a closed tubular structure with a narrow
caudal portion, the spinal cord, and a much broader
cephalic portion characterized by a number of dilations,
the brain vesicles.
Neural Crest Cells

Neural crest cells are a temporary group of cells unique to

vertebrates that arise from the embryonic ectoderm germ layer.

The neural crest are bilaterally paired strips of cells arising in

the ectoderm at the margins of the neural tube. These cells
migrate to many different locations and differentiate into many
cell types within the embryo.
Intermediate Mesoderm & Paraxial Mesoderm
Somites are blocks of mesoderm that are located on
either side of the neural tube in the developing
vertebrate embryo. Somites are precursor populations of
cells that give rise to important structures associated
with the vertebrate body plan and will eventually
differentiate into dermis, skeletal muscle, cartilage,
tendons, and vertebrae. Somites also determine the
migratory paths of neural crest cells and of the axons of
spinal nerves.
Derivatives of Endodermal Germ Layer