Second Week of Development:

Bilaminar Germ Disc

Foetal Membrane 1
1. amnion
2. yolk sac
3. chorion

Dr. Aye Aye San

25-9-2012
Many events occur during the second week.
“Rule of Twos” or week of Twos
1.Embryoblast splits into two germ layers,
epiblast and hypoblast
2. Trophoblast also gives rise to two tissues, the
cytotrophoblast and the
syncytiotrophoblast.
3. Blastocyst cavity is re modeled twice, changing
first into the primary yolk sac and then into
definitive yolk sac.
4.Two novel cavities appear.
the amniotic cavity and the chorionic cavity,
5. Extra- embryonic mesoderm splits into the two
layers that line the chorionic cavity.
Extra embryonic somatopleuric,
E E splanchnopleuric mesoderm
DAY 8 development
-the trophoblast differentiated into two layers:
(a) an inner layer of mononucleated cells, the
cytotrophoblast,
(b) an outer multinucleated cells ,the
syncytiotrophoblast

,
syncytiotrophoblast

cytotrophoblast,
 A small cavity appears within the epiblast,
enlarges to become the amniotic cavity. Epiblast cells
adjacent to the cytotrophoblast are called
amnioblasts; together with the rest of the epiblast,
they line the amniotic cavity
The endometrial stroma - is edematus and
highly vascular.and large, tortuous glands secrete
abundant glycogen and mucus. – Decidua reation

amniotic cavity
DAY 9
The vacuoles appear in the syncytium. When these vacuoles
fuse, and form large lacunae -- lacunar stage
Flattened cells appear between the inner surface of
cytotrophoblast and outer surface of primary yolk sac is called
extraembryonic mesoderm or exocoelomic (Heuser) membrane
that lines the inner surface of the cytotrophoblast
This membrane, together with the hypoblast, forms the lining
of the exocoelomic cavity, or primitive yolk sac.
DAYS 11 AND 12
Lacunar spaces in the syncytiurn form an
intercommunicating network.
Endothelial capillaries in the maternal stroma become
congested and dilated, are known as sinusoids.
Maternal blood enters the lacunar system
establishing the uteroplacental circulation.
 The extraemhryonic coelom splits the extra-
embryonic mesoderm into two layers
• extraembryonic somatic mesoderm, lining the
trophoblast and covering the amnion
• extraembryonic splanchnic mesoderm,
surrounding the yolk sac.
 The extraemhryonic somatic mesoderm and the two
layers of trophoblast form the chorion .
The chorion forms the wall of the chorionic sac, within
which the embryo and its amniotic and yolk sacs are suspended
by the connecting stalk.
The extraembryonic coelom is now called the chorionic
cavity.
DAY 13
Bleeding occurs at the implantation site as a result of
increased blood flow into the lacunar spaces. it may be
confused with normal menstrual bleeding and, therefore, may
cause inaccuracy in determining the expected delivery date.
The hypoblast produces additional cells that migrate
along the inside of the exocoeloniic membrane .These cells
proliferate and gradually form a new cavity within the
exocoelomic cavity is k/a secondary yolk sac or definitive yolk
sac
During its formation, large
portions of the exocoelomic cavity
are pinched off. These portions
are represented by exocoelomic cysts,
which are often found in the
extraembryonic coelom or
chorionic cavity
DAY 13
Meanwhile, the extraembryonic coelom expands and
forms a large cavity, the chorionic cavity. The extraembryonic
mesoderm lining the inside of the cytotrophoblast is then known
as the chorionic plate.
The only place where extraembryonic mesodenn traverses
the chorionic cavity is in the connecting stalk With development of
blood vessels, the stalk becomes the umbilical cord.
Applied
hCG from syncytio – end of 2nd week
• The syncytiotrophoblast is responsible for hormone production
including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). By the end of the
second week, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is
produced by syncytiotrophoblast .It is detected by
radioimmunoassays, - basis for pregnancy test.

• Hydatidiform mole – more of trophoblast tissue developed with little

or no embryonic tissue. Moles secrete high levels of hCG and may
produce benign or malignant (invasive mole, choriocarcinoma) tumors.
• These results also suggest that paternal genes regulate most of
the development of the trophoblast, since in moles this tissue
differentiates even in the absence of a female pronucleus.
• Non rejection of fetus by maternal system – (-) of MCH ( Major
Histocompatibility Antigen )
DAY 8 development DAY 9 development
DAY 10 development

DAYS 11 & 12 Development

 TRILAMINAR GERM DISC
( 3RD WEEK OF DEVELOPMENT )
Gastrulation – formation of 3 germ layers
Begins with formation of primitive streak on surface of epiblast.
FORMATION OF TRILAMINAR GERM DISC (3RD WEEK OF DEVELOPMENT)

Beginning of third week

Primitive streak
A narrow linear groove with
slightly bulging margins
appear on the surface of
the epiblast, in the midline
at the caudal part of the
embryo.

Primitive Primitive (Hensen's) node

node The cephalic end of the
primitive streak.
Primitive
streak
Primitive pit
Primitive node consists of a
Primitive small pit surrounded by a
pit slightly elevated area.
FORMATION OF TRILAMINAR GERM DISC (3RD WEEK OF DEVELOPMENT)
Cells of epiblast
Gastrulation
Migrate in the direction of primitive
streak and they become flask shaped.

Primitive node Primitive streak
Detach from the epiblast & slip
beneath it (invagination).

Some displace hypoblast creating

embryonic Endoderm

Some migrate in lateral direction to

form Intraembryonic mesoderm
Epiblast
Hypoblast
Cells remaining in the epiblast become
Invaginating Ectoderm
Mesodermal cells
FORMATION OF TRILAMINAR GERM DISC (3RD WEEK OF DEVELOPMENT)

Migration of the cells into the

primitive streak occur until the end
of the 4th week after which it
disappears.
Precordal
plate

Spread in the lateral and
cephalic directions beyond the
margin of the disc establishes
contact with EEM covering the yolk
Primitive
sac and amnion.
node
noded

The secondary mesoderm
Primitive
streak
extends over the whole of the
embryonic disc except in the
Cloacal region of notochord, at the
plate prechordal plate and the cloacal
membrane.
APPLIED ANATOMY OF PRIMITIVE STREAK

First landmark that reveals the polarity of the embryo.

Enables identification of embryonic axes, cranial & caudal
ends, top & bottom surfaces.
Acts as primary organizer & induces the
differentiation of other cells of the embryonic areas.
Remnant may persist and give rise to sacro-coccygeal
teratoma containing various types of tissues of the 3
germ layers because they are derived from pleuripotent
primitive streak cells.
Period of organogenesis
- Most major organs and organ systems are formed
during 3rd to 8th weeks.
- is most vulnerable period , during which most
gross structural birth defects are induced in this
period.
- Beginning of 3rd week – is highly sensitive stage
for teratogenic insults.
eg. High dose of alcohol – holoprosencephaly
Maternal diabetes- Sirenomelia
 Trophoblast changes during 3rd week

Connecting stalk

Epiblast Syncytiotrophoblast
Hypoblast
Cytotrophoblast

Extraembryonic
Mesoderm
(Chorionic plate)
Definitive
yolk sac Amniotic
cavity
CHORIONIC VILLI
Primary villus

Syncytiotrophoblast

Cytotrophoblast

Trophoblast changes during 3rd week

Beginning of 3rd week

Primary stem villi – cytotrophoblast cells
proliferate from cell columns which invade
syncytiotrophoblast
CHORIONIC VILLI

Secondary villus

Syncytiotrophoblast

Cytotrophoblast

Mesoderm core

Secondary stem villi – primary

mesoderm penetrate the core
of primary villi .
CHORIONIC VILLI

Tertiary villus

Syncytiotrophoblast

Cytotrophoblast

Mesoderm core

Villous capillary

Tertiary stem villi

– blood vessels are developed in mesodermal
core & form tertiary villi. They are connected
to umbilical vessels.
 NOTOCHORD
• Def: - a solid cord of intra-embryonic mesoderm in the
midline of trilaminar germ disc extending from primitive
node to prechordal plate ( BP membrane )
• Formation
Prenotochordal cells invaginate in primitive pit move
forward in cephalic direction
stop at prechordal plate.
• Neurenteric canal, a small canal
at primitive pit which forms a
temporary connection between
amniotic cavity & yolk sac .
The lower layer of the notochordal
process fuses(n. plate) with the underlying
hypoblast and detach from it and form a solid cord
of cells to form definitive notochord.
Fate of notochord
disappear except as nucleus pulposus of
Intervertebral Disc.

Functions /Importance of notochord

1. serves as the basis of axial skeleton
2. induce the overlying ectoderm to differentiate into
neuroectoderm
3. form nucleus pulposus
it indicates the future site of the ertebral bodies
( later notochordal process in the region of the
vertebral bodies disappear but persists in the region
of intervertebral disc as nucleus pulposus)
Applied Anatomy

Beginning of third week is a highly sensitive stage for teratogenic

insult.
(a) High doses of alcohol - Holoprosencephaly
(b) Maternal diabetes - Sirenomelia