Last edited: 8/8/2021

ECTODERM
Ectoderm Medical Editor: Jan Camille M. Santico

OUTLINE II) NEURULATION

I) GASTRULATION ● The cells from the primitive node continue to migrate
II) NEURULATION cranially, forming a tube/cord underneath the ectoderm
and in between the mesoderm. This tube is the
III) ECTODERMAL DERIVATIVES notochord.
IV) APPENDIX ● The notochord secretes growth factors and proteins
V) REVIEW QUESTIONS which induces the overlying ectoderm cells to proliferate
and thicken, forming the neural plate
VI) REFERENCES ● The neural plate proliferates and invaginates along its
central axis, forming the neural groove and neural folds
● The neural folds move closer and fuse, forming the
I) GASTRULATION neural tube
o The lateral parts of the neural fold differentiate into
● The inner cell mass of a blastocyst differentiates into a neural crest cells
bilaminar disc, which is made up of: o The neural crest cells detach once the folds fuse
o Epiblast
o Hypoblast ● See Figure 4. Neurulation [Moore et al, 2016]

● Gastrulation is the process wherein the three germ III) ECTODERMAL DERIVATIVES
layers and the axial orientation are established in the
embryo [Moore et al, 2016] (A) NEURAL TUBE DERIVATIVES
o The bilaminar disc is converted into a trilaminar disc ● Anterior neuropore
● Prechordal plate o Cranial end of the neural tube
o thickened portion of the endodermal layer located o Closes around day 24/25 (with sufficient folate
towards the cranial end of the embryo supplementation)
● Primitive Streak ● Posterior neuropore
o A thickened linear band of epiblast located caudally in o Caudal end of the neural tube
the median plane of the dorsal aspect of the o Closes around day 26-28
embryonic disc [Moore et al, 2016] ● Failure of these neuropores to close will result in spina
o See Figure 3. Gastrulation [Moore et al, 2016] bifida, anencephaly, myelomeningocele, etc
● Primitive node ● The neural tube undergoes vesiculation to form the
o An enlarged group of cells located in the anterior central nervous system
portion of the primitive streak o Neurons
● At the primitive node, some epiblast cells invaginate and o Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes)
migrate downwards and towards the cranial end, forming o Posterior pituitary
a third layer in between the epiblast and hypoblast. o Pineal gland
● The migrating epiblast cells in between the epiblast and o Retina
hypoblast form the mesoderm (B) NEURAL CREST CELL DERIVATIVES
● The migrating epiblast cells invade the hypoblast layer
below, converting it into endoderm ● Mnemonic: CREST CELL
● The epiblast layer on top differentiates into ectoderm o Chromaffin cells (adrenal medulla)
o Rostral tissues (connective tissue, bones, and
muscles of the head and neck)
o Enteric nervous system
o Satellite cells and Schwann cells (glial cells of PNS)
o The PNS (spinal nerves, ganglia)
o Carotid bodies (measure concentrations of oxygen
and CO2)
o Endocardial cushions (forming the septum and valves
of the heart)
o Light skin/dark skin – melanocytes
o Leptomeninges of the brain (pia mater, arachnoid
mater)

Figure 1. Gastrulation

ECTODERM EMBRYOLOGY: Note #1. 1 of 4

 (C) PLACODES (D) SURFACE ECTODERM
● All the remaining parts of the embryonic surface not
covered by the placode and the neural plate are
considered surface ectoderm
● Surface ectoderm differentiates into epithelial tissue
o Epidermis
o Nails
o Hair
o Sweat glands
o Lining of nasal cavity (except roof, comes rom
olfactory placode)
o Lining of oral cavity
o External ear canal
o Lining of inferior anus (below pectinate line)
Figure 2. Placodes ● Rathke’s pouch
o Invagination/budding of epithelial tissue along the
● Ectodermal placodes are thickened areas of the cranial nasal pharynx
ectoderm which differentiate into various structures o Differentiates into the anterior pituitary gland
o Fuses with the posterior pituitary gland precursor
(1) Olfactory placode (from the hypothalamus) to form the pituitary gland
● Differentiates into olfactory epithelium
o Tissue at the roof of the nasal cavity Remember
o Includes the receptor cells and supporting cells Mnemonic for Ectodermal Derivatives: ECTODERM
o Function: smell Epithelial tissue (inside and outside the body)
Central nervous system
(2) Lens placode The lens placode
Otic and Olfactory placode
● Differentiates into the lens Dang neural crest cells
o Function: far/near vision; allows the eye to focus on Eyes (retina)
objects at varying distances Rathke’s pouch  anterior pituitary gland
o Ciliary muscles control the lens, turning it globular or Melatonin (from pineal gland)
flat to adjust the focusing power
(3) Otic placode
● Differentiates into the inner ear, which is made up of:
o Cochlea – hearing, sound waves
o Vestibule – static equilibrium
o Semicircular canals – dynamic equilibrium
(4) Precursors of Cranial Nerve Ganglia
● Nodose placode  nodose ganglia
● Trigeminal placode  trigeminal ganglia
● Geniculate placode  geniculate ganglia

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 IV) APPENDIX

Figure 3. Gastrulation [Moore et al, 2016]

Figure 4. Neurulation [Moore et al, 2016]

ECTODERM EMBRYOLOGY: Note #1. 3 of 4

 V) REVIEW QUESTIONS

What is the thickened linear band of epiblast cells

which is vital to gastrulation?
a. Prechordal plate
b. Primitive node
c. Primitive groove
d. Primitive streak

Which structure induces the formation of the neural

plate?
a. Primitive streak
b. Prechordal plate
c. Notochord
d. Rathke’s pouch

Which of the following is NOT a derivative of the

neural tube?
a. Retina
b. Posterior pituitary gland
c. Lens
d. Pineal gland

Which of the following is NOT a neural crest cell

derivative?
a. Chromaffin cells
b. Nodose ganglion
c. Spinal nerves
d. Melanocytes
Which of the following is NOT a derivative of the
surface ectoderm?
a. Hair
b. Sweat glands
c. Lining of the oral cavity
d. Lining of the duodenum

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

VI) REFERENCES
● Moore, K.; Persaud, T.V.N. & Torchia, M. (2016). The
Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 10th Ed.
Elsevier

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