UNSW Embryology

Carnegie Stages 7

Features: embryonic disc, primitive node, primative streak, primative groove, yolk sac

Facts: Week 3, 15 - 17 days, 0.4 mm

View 1: embryonic disc, showing the epiblast viewed from the amniotic (dorsal) side.

Stage 7 Labelled | Stage 7 Molecular | Stage 8

Events: Gastrulation is continuing as cells migrate from the epiblast, continuing to form mesoderm.

Mesoderm lies between the ectoderm and endoderm as a continuous sheet except at the buccopharyngeal and cloacal membranes. These membranes have ectoderm and endoderm only and will lie at the rostral (head) and caudal (tail) of the gastrointestinal tract.

From the primitive node a tube extends under the ectoderm in the opposite direction to the primitive streak. This tube forms first the axial process then notochordal process, then finally the notochord.

The notochord is a key to embryonic folding and regulation of ectoderm and mesoderm differentiation. It lies in the rostrocordal axis and the embryonic disc will fold either side ventrally, pinching off a portion of the yolk sac to form the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

View 2: embryonic disc, probably from from the ventral side. Showing the connecting stalk to the left.

Next: Carnegie Stage 8 Unlabelled | Stage 8 Labelled

Carnegie Stages 7

Features: embryonic disc, primitive node, primative streak, primitive groove, yolk sac

Facts: Week 3, 15 - 17 days, 0.4 mm

View 1: embryonic disc, showing the epiblast viewed from the amniotic (dorsal) side.

Events: Gastrulation is continuing as cells migrate from the epiblast, continuing to form mesoderm.

Mesoderm lies between the ectoderm and endoderm as a continuous sheet except at the buccopharyngeal and cloacal membranes. These membranes have ectoderm and endoderm only and will lie at the rostral (head) and caudal (tail) of the gastrointestinal tract.

Axes:

embryonic disc is shown rostral (head) to top and caudal (tail) to bottom.

Left and right are the lateral margins of the disc as shown.

Folding:

all edges of the embryonic disc will fold ventrally, forming a rostro-caudal "C" shaped tube.

Gastrulation:

Through the primitive streak cells migrate continuously through week 3 into week 4. Initial cells replace hypoblast as an epithelial layer the endoderm. Later migrating cells spread between the two epithelial layers to form mesoderm.

Axial Process:

From the primitive node a tube extends under the ectoderm in the opposite direction to the primitive streak. This tube forms first the axial process, then notochordal process, and finally the notochord.

The notochord is a key to embryonic folding and regulation of ectoderm and mesoderm differentiation. It lies in the rostrocordal axis and the embryonic disc will fold either side ventrally, pinching off a portion of the yolk sac to form the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Next: Carnegie Stage 8 Unlabelled | Stage 8 Labelled