Organogenetic period/

Embryonic period
Dr Saima Athar Shaikh
Professor
Phases of embryonic
development
 4th to 8th week
► Major external &
internal structures
► Human appearance
► CVS is functional
► Teratogens
 Phases of embryonic
development
► Growth phase:
which involves cell
division and the
elaboration of cell
products
► Morphogenesis
(development of
shape, size, or
other features of a
particular organ or
part or the whole
of the body).
► Differentiation:
formation of tissues
and organs that are
capable of
performing
specialized functions
Folding of embryo
 Folding of embryo
► Establishment of body
form from a flat
trilaminar disc into a
cylindrical embryo
► Folding at cranial and
caudal ends: median
plane
► Folding at sides of
embryo: horizontal
plane
► Folding of the
embryo is due to
rapid growth of the
embryo specially the
nervous system.
► The head folds first
then the tail
Folding in median plane
 Results of median folding
► Forebrain grows cranially
beyond oropharyngeal
membrane & heart
► Part of endoderm of
umblical vesicle is
incorporated as foregut,
midgut and hindgut.
► Terminal part of hindgut
dilates into cloaca
► Connecting stalk lies
ventral
► Allantois is incorporated
inside embryo
 Folding in horizontal plane
► Isdue to growth of somites and neural tube
► Formation of intraembryonic coelom
► Formation of body wall
► Formation of umblical
cord
4 -8 weeks highlights
 4-8 weeks
► Major internal &
external structures are
formed
► Main organ systems
are developed
► CVS has started
functioning
► Distinct human
appearance in 8th week
► Exposure to teratogens
 Fourth week

► At the beginning, the

embryo is almost straight
and has four to 12 somites
that produce conspicuous
surface elevations.
► neural tube: formed
opposite the somites,
widely open at the rostral
and caudal neuropores.
► By 24 days, the first two
pharyngeal arches are
visible. (mandibular arch)
second (hyoid arch).
 Fourth week
► The heart produces a large
ventral prominence and
pumps blood.
► Day 26:Three pairs of
pharyngeal arches , closure
of rostral neuropore.
► forebrain produces a
prominent elevation of the
head.
► Upper limb buds are
recognizable.
► The otic pits.
► Ectodermal thickenings (lens
placodes)
► By the end: closure of caudal
neuropore ,4th arch & lower
limb buds
 Fifth week
► Enlargement of the head
and facial prominences.
► face contacts the heart
prominence.
► Growth of second
pharyngeal arch arch,
forming a lateral
ectodermal depression on
each side-the cervical
sinus
► Mesonephric ridges
 Sixth week
► show reflex response to
touch& spontaneous
movements, such as
twitching of the trunk and
limbs

► The upper limbs begin to

show regional
differentiation as the
elbows and large
handplates develop.
► The digital rays :primordia
of the digits (fingers)
 Sixth week
► The auricular hillocks
contribute to the formation
of the auricle, the part of
the external ear.
► the eye is obvious.
► The trunk and neck have
begun to straighten.
► The intestines enter the
extraembryonic coelom in
the proximal part of the
umbilical cord
 Seventh week
► Main changes appear
in limbs:
► Notches between
digital rays
► Ossification of bones of
upper limb
► Communication
between primordial gut
& umblical vesicle
becomes narrower
 Eighth week
► All regions of limb are apparent
► Ossification in femur
► Scalp vascular plexus
► Head is disproportionately large.
► neck region is established, and
the eyelids are more obvious.
► The intestines are still in the
proximal portion of the umbilical
cord.
► The auricles of the external ears
begin to assume their final
shape.
 Eighth week
► The embryo has now
distinct human
appearance