Overview of embryology

Dr MULENGA M-K
CHRESO UNIVERITY
NURSING DEPARTMENT
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the major events of the three
prenatal periods.
2. Describe the processes that comprise
embryogenesis.
 INTRODUCTION
humans undergo development, a series of progressive changes
that accomplishes two major functions:differentiation and
reproduction.
Differentiation leads to the formation and organization of all the
diverse cell types in the body.
Reproduction ensures that new individuals are produced from
generation to generation. This occurs in order to preserve a
species
Development continues throughout the life of a human, but in
this chapter we focus on the developmental events that occur
prior to birth, a discipline known as embryology
(em-brē -olṓ -jē ; embryon = a young one, logos = study).
 Important terms
1. Embryogenesis ; this is the collection of all
developmental processes that occur in the
pre-embryonic and embryonic periods
2. Prenatal period/Pregnancy/Gestation; this is
the first 38 weeks of human development
that begin with the fertilization of the
secondary oocyte and end with birth.
 PRENATAL PERIOD
• The prenatal period is broken down into the following shorter periods:
A. pre-embryonic period is the first 2 weeks of development (the first 2
weeks after fertilization)
when the single cell produced by fertilization (the zygote) becomes a
spherical, multicellular structure (a blastocyst).
This period ends when the blastocyst implants in the lining of the uterus.
B. embryonic period includes the third through eighth weeks of
development. It is a remarkably active time during which rudimentary
versions of the major organ systems appear in the body, which is now
called an embryo.
C. fetal (fē ́tal; fetus = offspring) period includes the remaining 30 weeks of
development prior to birth, when the organism is called a fetus.
During the fetal period, the fetus continues to grow, and its organs
increase in complexity
 EMBRYOGENESIS
• Embryogenesis ; this is the collection of all developmental
processes that occur in the pre-embryonic and embryonic
periods
• It has 3 stages:
A. Cleavage: The zygote divides by mitosis to form a
multicellular structure called a blastocyst.
B. Gastrulation: The blastocyst cells form three primary
germ layers, which are the basic cellular structures from
which all body tissues develop.
C. Organogenesis: The three primary germ layers arrange
themselves in ways that give rise to all organs in the body
 1. PRE EMBRYONIC PERIOD

• A pre-embryo develops during the first 2 weeks after fertilization.

Fertilization is the process whereby two sex cells fuse to form a new
organism.
■ Sperm are not capable of fertilizing the secondary oocyte until they
undergo capacitation, a conditioning period for sperm after their
deposition within the female reproductive tract.
The acrosome at the tip of the sperm contains digestive enzymes tha
penetrate the protective layers around the secondary oocyte.
■ The phases of fertilization are corona radiata penetration, zona pelluc
penetration, and fusion of the sperm and oocyte plasma membranes
When a sperm penetrates the secondary oocyte, the secondary oocy
completes meiosis II and becomes an ovum.
The pronuclei of the ovum and sperm fuse and form a single diploid c
called a zygote.
 CLEAVAGE
■ The series of mitotic divisions of the zygote is called cleavage.
Blastomere(4 cell stage) Clevage(8 cell stage) morula (16 cell stage)
■ After the third cleavage division, the pre-embryo cells form a
compressed ball of cells held together by tight junctions, a process
called compaction.
• ■ At the 16-cell stage, the ball of cells is called a morula

• FORMATION OF THE BILAMINAR GERMINAL DISC

• ■ During the implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium
of the uterus, cells of the embryoblast differentiate
• into two layers: the hypoblast and the epiblast. Together, these two
layers form a flat disc called a bilaminar
 IMPLANTATION

tion consists of attachment, cell changes in the trophoblast

ne epithelium, and invasion of the endometrial wall.
arrival in the uterine lumen, the pre-embryo develops a
central fluid-filled cavity and is called a blastocyst.
within the blastocyst form the embryoblast (inner cell
which gives rise to the embryo proper.
r ring of cells forms the trophoblast, which contributes to
nta.
ophoblast subdivides into a cytotrophoblast (the inner
r layer of the trophoblast) and a syncytiotrophoblast (the
thick layer).
Formation of the Bilaminar Germinal Disc
■ During the implantation of the blastocyst into
the endometrium of the uterus, cells of the
embryoblast differentiate into two layers:
the hypoblast and the epiblast. Together, these
two layers form a flat disc called a bilaminar
disc
Formation of Extraembryonic Membranes
■ The yolk sac is the site for the formation of
the first blood cells and blood vessels.
■ The amnion is a thin ectodermal membrane
that eventually encloses the entire embryo in
a fluid-filled sac.
■ The chorion is the embryonic contribution to
the placenta.
Development of the Placenta
The main functions of the placenta are
1. The exchange of metabolic products and respiratory gases between the fetal and
maternal bloodstreams
2. Transmission of maternal antibodies
3. Hormone production estrogen and progesterone
The placenta begins to form during the second week of development and takes abou
3months to fully form. After birth of the fetus it is expelled and is called the after
birth.
The fetal portion of the placenta develops from the chorion, while the maternal
portion of the placenta forms from the functional layer of the uterus.
The early organism is connected to the placenta via a structure called the connectin
stalk.
This connecting stalk eventually contains the umbilical arteries and veins that
distribute blood through the embryo or fetus. The connecting stalk is the precursor
to the future umbilical cord.
 2. EMBRYONIC PERIOD
The embryonic period extends from weeks 3 to
8
Gastrulation
■ Gastrulation produces three primary germ
layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
Once these three layers have formed, the
developing trilaminar (three-layered) structure
may be called an embryo
Gastrulation begins with formation of the primitive streak, a thin depres
surface of the epiblast
• The cephalic (head) end of the streak, known as the primitive node,
a slightly elevated area surrounding a small primitive pit.
• Cells detach from the epiblast layer and migrate through the primitiv
between the epiblast and hypoblast layers. This inward movement of
known as invagination.
• The layer of cells that forms between these two layers becomes the p
germ layer known as mesoderm
• Other migrating cells eventually displace the hypoblast and form the
(en ́dō -derm; endo = inner).
• Cells remaining in the epiblast then form the ectoderm (ek ́tō -derm
outside).
• Thus, the epiblast, through the process of gastrulation, is the source
primary germ layers, from which all body tissues and organs eventua
• Folding of the Embryonic Disc
• ■ The embryonic disc undergoes cephalocaudal and transverse
folding, beginning late in the third week.
Differentiation of Ectoderm
■ The development of ectoderm into the entire nervous system is
called neurulation.
■ Neurulation is an example of induction, a complex process
whereby a structure stimulates a response from another tissue
or group of cells.
■ Besides the nervous system, derivatives of the ectoderm
include most exocrine glands, tooth enamel, epidermis, and the
sense organs.
Differentiation of Mesoderm
■ The notochord is formed by chordamesoderm.
■ Paraxial mesoderm forms somites, which eventually give rise to
the axial skeleton and most muscle, cartilage, dermis, and
connective tissues.
■ Intermediate mesoderm forms most of the urinary system and
the reproductive system.
■ Lateral plate mesoderm gives rise to most of the cardiovascular
system, body cavity linings, and most limb structures.
■ Head mesenchyme forms connective tissues and musculature
of the face.
Differentiation of Endoderm
■ Endoderm gives rise to the inner lining of the
digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts as
well as the thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus
glands, portions of the palatine tonsils, and
most of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
.
Organogenesis
■ Almost all of organogenesis (organ development) occurs during the embryonic
period
During the embryonic period, the embryo is particularly sensitive to teratogens (ter
ắ -tō -jen;teras = monster, gen = producing).
TERATOGENS are substances that can cause birth defects or the death of the
embryo.
Teratogens include alcohol, tobacco smoke, drugs, some viruses, and even some
seemingly benign medications, such as aspirin.
Because the embryonic period includes organogenesis, exposure to teratogens at
this time can result in the malformation of some or all organ systems
HYPOPLASIA incomplete or under development of an organ
APLASIA completely no development – it may have started but stops and leaves a
remnant.
AGENESIS the organ is not present completely
 3. FETAL STAGE
• The time from the beginning of the third
month to birth is known as the fetal period. It
is characterized by maturation of tissues and
organs and rapid growth.
• The Fetus grows in length and also weight
THE END!!!!!!

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