GERM LAYERS
Appearance of germ layers
The germ disc is circular at the first stage.
Then it becomes elongated and future axis of the
embryo is indicated. One end becomes broad
(cephalic end) and other end becomes narrow
(caudal end).
Three functional zones are differentiated in the
ectodermal (OUTER) layer of the germ disc.
These are as follows:
A. Surface ectoderm: The cells of cephalic end and
peripheral margin constitute the surface ectoderm. It
gives rise to epidermis of skin.
B. Neural plate: The cells on a depressed area at the
central part of the surface ectoderm form an elongated
plate which gives rise to future nervous system. This part
is called neural plate.
C. Pluripotent cellular zone: A group of fast
proliferating cells are accommodated at the caudal part of
the germ disc. They differentiate very rapidly and form a
linear opacity in the midline, called primitive streak. These
cells are known as pluripotent cells.
Formation of notochord
The cephalic end of the primitive streak becomes
swollen by the proliferation of cells. This is called
primitive knot or hensen’s node.
A central depression appears at the hensen’s node
called primitive pit or blastopore.
The pit goes downward and forward and the cells
surrounding the primitive pit gradually extend in the
form of a solid tube cranially along the midline
between the ectoderm and endoderm upto the
prochordal plate.
The cavity of the primitive pit also extends through
the cellular extension and converts it into a canal
called notochordal canal.
Then the notochordal wall becomes flat to form
notochordal plate.
This plate forms a fold along the long axis at the
roof of the yolk sac which is now lined by
endodermal layer.
This fold becomes deep to form a tube. This tube
is converted into a solid chord of cells which is
now known as definitive notochord.
The notochord acts as a forerunner for the
development of vertebral column.
Derivatives of the Germ Layers
The first evidence in differentiation is the appearance
of germ layers.
Derivatives of Ectoderm:
nervous system,
epidermis (including hair, nails, sebaceous and sweat
glands),
epithelial lining of gums, cheek, enamel of tooth,
ends of natural orifices,
conjunctiva, lacrimal gland corneal epithelium, lens,
retina,
external layer of tympanic membrane, membranous
labyrinth of internal ear,
muscles of iris and of skin
Derivatives of mesoderm
All connective tissue, sclerous tissue,
teeth except enamel,
cardiovascular and lymphatic system,
gonads and adrenal cortex,
all muscles except those of iris and skin,
Urogenital system except parts of bladder,
prostate and urethra.
Derivatives of endoderm
1. From Foregut
Epithelial lining of pharynx to part of duodenum,
mucous membrane of tongue,
tonsil, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas,
liver,
epithelial lining of respiratory system, eustachian
system, tympanic cavity,
2. From Midgut
Mucous membrane of alimentary tract
(duodenum to colon), meckel’s diverticulum.
3. From Hindgut
Mucous membrane from colon to anal canal,
urinary bladder, urethra, prostate and cowper’s
gland,
Primitive sex cells and vaginal epithelium
Differentiation of ectodermal layer
The neuroectoderm gives rise to the entire
central and peripheral nervous system including
cranial, spinal and autonomic ganglia.
The surface ectoderm forms outer protective
covering of the embryo and helps in the
development of epidermis, hair, nails, sebaceous
and sweat glands.
Differentiation of mesodermal layer
The intra-embryonic mesoderm which is formed by the
proliferation of the cells of primitive streak, at first appear as
loose sheet on each side of the median plane in between the
ectoderm and endoderm.
At the periphery of the embryonic disc, the intraembryonic
mesoderm is continuous with extraembryonic mesoderm. Now
the loose sheet of intraembryonic mesoderm of each side
becomes divided longitudinally into three zones.
1. Paraxial mesoderm: this is a thick layer and placed just
at the lateral side of notochord.
2. Intermediate cell mass: this part is placed lateral to
the paraxial mesoderm. This is thinner at the beginning but
becomes bulky later.
3. Lateral plate mesoderm: this thin part is placed
further laterally and extends to the periphery of the germ disc to
be continued with the extra embryonic mesoderm.
The paraxial mesoderm subdivides into a number of cubical
blocks of tissue masses and are called somites or metameres.
In case of chick embryo the somites begins to start only on 22
hours of incubation.
Each cubical somite subdivides into a ventromedial part called
sclerotome and a dorsolateral part known as dermomyotome.
The dermomyotome again divides into a dermal plate and a
muscular plate.
The dermal plate forms the dermis and subcutaneous tissue and
the muscular plate (myotome) gives rise to spindle shaped cells of
skeletal muscle.
The intermediate cell mass which remains in between the paraxial
mesoderm and lateral plate, projects into the dorsal wall of the
coelom on each side and gives rise to the development of nephric
system and sex glands.
In the lateral plate mesoderm small cavities appear. They
coalesce to form a large cavity, the intra-embryonic
coelom.
This intra-embryonic coelom forms the pericardial sac,
pleural sac and peritoneal sac.
With the development of intra-embryonic coelom the
lateral plate mesoderm divides into a parietal layer called
the Somatopleure and the visceral layer called
splanchnopleure.
A communication develops between the intra and extra-
embryonic coelom after breaking through the continuity
between somatopleuric and splanchnopleuric layers.
The mesoderm situated at the cephalic aspect of
embryonic area doesnot split and forms a plate called
septum transversum. This septum forms the diaphragm.
