Lec 4 Embryonic Period (Weeks 3-8) - 230619 - 072915

Dr.
Laith Thamer Al-Ameri

Neurosurgeon
Al-Kindy college of Medicine
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
By the end of the embryonic period, all major organ systems
begin development, although functionality may be minimal.
During the embryonic period, the uteroplacental circulation

cannot satisfy the increasing nutritional needs of the rapidly
developing embryo, so development of the cardiovascular
system is essential.
During the embryonic period, folding of the embryo occurs

in two distinct planes. Craniocaudal folding progresses due
to the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) and the
amnion. Lateral folding progresses due to the growth of the
somites, amnion, and other components of the lateral body
wall.
Both the craniocaudal folding and lateral folding change
the shape of the embryo from a two dimensional disk to
a three-dimensional cylinder.
By the end of week 8, the embryo has a distinct human

appearance.
During the embryonic period, the basic segmentation of

the human embryo in the craniocaudal direction is
controlled by the Hox (homeobox) complex of genes
The primitive streak is a structure that forms in

the blastula during the early stages
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE
EMBRYOBLAST
A. Gastrulation
B. Changes involving intraembryonic mesoderm
C. Changes involving ectoderm.
D. Changes involving endoderm
Gastrulation
Gastrulation is the process that establishes the three
definitive germ layers of the embryo (ectoderm,
intraembryonic mesoderm, and endoderm), forming a
trilaminar embryonic disk by day 21 of development. These
three germ layers give rise to all the tissues and organs of the
adult.
The ectoderm, intraembryonic mesoderm, and endoderm of

the trilaminar embryonic disk are all derived from the
epiblast. The term intraembryonic mesoderm describes the
germ layer that forms during week 3 (gastrulation), in
contrast to the extraembryonic mesoderm, which forms
during week 2.
Intraembryonic mesoderm forms various tissues and
organs found in the adult, whereas extraembryonic
mesoderm is involved in placenta formation.
Gastrulation is heralded
by the formation of the
primitive streak and is
caused by a proliferation
of epiblast cells. The
primitive streak consists
of:
 primitive groove
 primitive node
 primitive pit
Changes involving intraembryonic
mesoderm
1. Paraxial mesoderm is a thick plate of mesoderm located on each
side of the midline. Paraxial mesoderm becomes organized into segments known
as somitomeres, which form in a craniocaudal sequence. Somitomeres 1–7 do not
form somites but contribute mesoderm to the pharyngeal arches. The remaining
somitomeres further condense in a craniocaudal sequence to form 42–44 pairs of
somites. The first pair of somites forms on day 20, and new somites appear at a rate
of 3 per day. The caudal-most somites eventually disappear to give a final count of
approximately 35 pairs of somites. The number of somites is one of the criteria for
determining the age of the embryo. Somites further differentiate into the following
components:
a. Sclerotome forms the cartilage and bone components of the vertebral column.
b. Myotome forms epimeric and hypomeric muscles.
c. Dermatome forms dermis and subcutaneous area of skin.
2. Intermediate mesoderm is a longitudinal dorsal ridge of

mesoderm located between the paraxial mesoderm and lateral mesoderm. This
ridge develops into the urogenital ridge, which forms the future kidneys and
gonads.
3. Lateral mesoderm is a thin plate of mesoderm
located along the lateral sides of the embryo.
Large spaces develop in the lateral mesoderm and coalesce to form the
intraembryonic coelom. The intraembryonic coelom divides the lateral
mesoderm into two layers:
a. Intraembryonic somatic mesoderm (also called somatopleure)

b. Intraembryonic visceral mesoderm (also called visceropleure or
splanchnopleure)
4. Notochord is a solid cylinder of mesoderm extending in

the midline of the trilaminar embryonic disk from the primitive node to
the prochordal plate. It has a number of important functions, which
include the following:
a. The notochord induces the overlying ectoderm to differentiate into

neuroectoderm to form the neural plate.
b. The notochord induces the formation of the vertebral body of each of
the vertebrae.
c. The notochord forms the nucleus pulposus of each intervertebral disk.
5. Cardiogenic region is a horseshoe-shaped
region of mesoderm located at the cranial end of the
trilaminar embryonic disk rostral to the prochordal
plate. This region forms the future heart.
Changes involving ectoderm.
The major change involving a specific portion of
ectoderm is its induction by the underlying notochord
to differentiate into neuroectoderm and neural crest
cells, thereby forming the future nervous system.
Changes involving endoderm

VASCULOGENESIS (DE NOVO
BLOOD VESSEL FORMATION)
Vasculogenesis occurs in two general locations as
follows.
A. In extraembryonic mesoderm
B. In intraembryonic mesoderm
HEMATOPOIESIS (BLOOD CELL
FORMATION)
 Hematopoiesis first occurs within the
extraembryonic visceral mesoderm around the
yolk sac during week 3 of development.
 Beginning at week 5, hematopoiesis is taken over by a

sequence of embryonic organs: liver, thymus, spleen,
and bone marrow.
A schematic diagram showing the contribution of various organs to
hematopoiesis during development.
 During the period of yolk sac hematopoiesis, the earliest embryonic form of hemoglobin is
synthesized,
 During the period of liver hematopoiesis, the fetal form of hemoglobin (HbF) is
synthesized, called hemoglobin α2γ2.
 During the period of bone marrow hematopoiesis (about week 30), the adult form of
hemoglobin (HbA) is synthesized, called hemoglobin α2β2, and gradually replaces
hemoglobin the embryonic form.
 Hemoglobin α2γ2 is the predominant form of hemoglobin during pregnancy because it has
a higher affinity for oxygen than the adult form of hemoglobin and thereby “pulls” oxygen
from the maternal blood into fetal blood.
CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Chordoma (CD)
is a benign or malignant tumor
that arises from remnants of
the notochord. CD may be
found either intracranially or
in the sacral region and occurs
more commonly in men late in
adult life (age 50 years).
Hydroxyurea
(a cytotoxic drug) promotes fetal hemoglobin (HbF)

production by the reactivation of γ-chain synthesis.
Hydroxyurea has been especially useful in the treatment
of sickle cell disease, in which the presence of HbF
counteracts the low oxygen affinity and inhibits the
sickling process.
Sacrococcygeal
teratoma
is a tumor that arises from
remnants of the primitive
streak, which normally
degenerates and disappears. ST
is the most common germ cell
tumor of childhood.
ST is derived from pluripotent
cells of the primitive streak and
often contains various types of
tissue (e.g., bone, nerve, hair).
ST occurs more commonly in
female infants and usually
becomes malignant during
infancy (must be surgically
removed by age 6 months).

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Dr.

Laith Thamer Al-Ameri

During the embryonic period, the uteroplacental circulation

During the embryonic period, folding of the embryo occurs

By the end of week 8, the embryo has a distinct human

During the embryonic period, the basic segmentation of

The primitive streak is a structure that forms in

The ectoderm, intraembryonic mesoderm, and endoderm of

2. Intermediate mesoderm is a longitudinal dorsal ridge of

a. Intraembryonic somatic mesoderm (also called somatopleure)

4. Notochord is a solid cylinder of mesoderm extending in

a. The notochord induces the overlying ectoderm to differentiate into

Changes involving endoderm

 Beginning at week 5, hematopoiesis is taken over by a

(a cytotoxic drug) promotes fetal hemoglobin (HbF)

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