Gastrointestinal Tract Development

Embryology - 5 Dec 2023        Expand to Translate
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Introduction

The early gastrointestinal tract.

Human head (Week 4, Stage 11) showing buccopharyngeal membrane breakdown.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) arises initially during the process of gastrulation from the endoderm of the trilaminar embryo (week 3) and extends from the buccopharyngeal membrane to the cloacal membrane. The tract and associated organs later have contributions from all the germ cell layers.

During the 4th week three distinct regions (fore-, mid- and hind-gut) extend the length of the embryo and will contribute different components of the GIT. The large mid-gut is generated by lateral embryonic folding which "pinches off" a pocket of the yolk sac, the 2 compartments continue to communicate through the vitelline duct.

The oral cavity (mouth) is formed following breakdown of the buccopharyngeal membrane (oropharyngeal or oral membrane) and contributed to mainly by the pharynx lying within the pharyngeal arches (More? Head Development). Loss of buccopharyngeal membrane opens the tract to amniotic fluid through the remainder of development, and during the fetal period is actively swallowed.

From the oral cavity the next portion of the foregut is initially the pharynx, a single gastrointestinal (oesophagus{{) and respiratory (trachea) common tube, that lies behind the heart. Note that the respiratory tract will form from a ventral bud arising at this level (More? respiratory).

This current page provides an introductory overview, use the links below for descriptions of specific components and regions as well as developmental abnormalities.

Note that in historic texts the term entoderm is used to describe endoderm and other terminology may also differ from current descriptions.

Some Recent Findings

Mapping of extrinsic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract in the mouse embryo "Precise extrinsic afferent (visceral sensory) and efferent (sympathetic and parasympathetic) innervation of the gut is fundamental for gut-brain crosstalk. Owing to the limitation of intrinsic markers to distinctively visualize the three classes of extrinsic axons, which intimately associate within the gut mesentery, detailed information on the development of extrinsic gut-innervating axons remains relatively sparse. Here, we mapped extrinsic innervation of the gut and explored the relationships among various types of extrinsic axons during embryonic development in mice. Visualization with characterized intrinsic markers revealed that visceral sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic axons arise from different anatomical locations, project in close association via the gut mesentery, and form distinctive innervation patterns within the gut from embryonic day E10.5 to E16.5. Genetic ablation of visceral sensory trajectories results in the erratic extension of both sympathetic and parasympathetic axons, implicating that afferent axons provide an axonal scaffold to route efferent axons. Co-culture assay further confirmed the attractive effect of sensory axons on sympathetic axons. Taken together, our study provides key information regarding the development of extrinsic gut-innervating axons occurring through heterotypic axonal interactions and provides an anatomical basis to uncover neural circuit assembly in the gut-brain axis." stomach curvature is generated by left-right asymmetric gut morphogenesis "Left-right (LR) asymmetry is a fundamental feature of internal anatomy, yet the emergence of morphological asymmetry remains one of the least understood phases of organogenesis. Asymmetric rotation of the intestine is directed by forces outside the gut, but the morphogenetic events that generate anatomical asymmetry in other regions of the digestive tract remain unknown. Here, we show in mouse and Xenopus that the mechanisms that drive the curvature of the stomach are intrinsic to the gut tube itself. The left wall of the primitive stomach expands more than the right wall, as the left epithelium becomes more polarized and undergoes radial rearrangement. These asymmetries exist across several species, and are dependent on LR patterning genes, including Foxj1, Nodal and Pitx2 Our findings have implications for how LR patterning manifests distinct types of morphological asymmetries in different contexts." The Digestive Tract in Human Embryos Between Carnegie Stages 11 and 13 "The digestive tract was initially formed by a narrowing of the yolk sac, and then several derived primordia such as the pharynx, lung, stomach, liver, and dorsal pancreas primordia differentiated during 12 (21-29 somites) and CS13 (≥ 30 somites). The differentiation of four pairs of pharyngeal pouches was complete in all 13 embryos. The respiratory primordium was recognized in ≥ 26-somite embryos and it flattened and then branched at 13. The trachea formed and then elongated in ≥ 35-somite embryos. The stomach adopted a spindle shape in all ≥ 34-somite embryos, and the liver bud was recognized in ≥ 27-somite embryos. The dorsal pancreas appeared as definitive buddings in all but three CS13 embryos, and around these buddings, the small intestine bent in ≥ 33-somite embryos. In ≥ 35-somite embryos, the small intestine rotated around the cranial-caudal axis and had begun to form a primitive intestinal loop, which led to umbilical herniation."

More recent papers

This table allows an automated computer search of the external PubMed database using the listed "Search term" text link. This search now requires a manual link as the original PubMed extension has been disabled. The displayed list of references do not reflect any editorial selection of material based on content or relevance. References also appear on this list based upon the date of the actual page viewing. References listed on the rest of the content page and the associated discussion page (listed under the publication year sub-headings) do include some editorial selection based upon both relevance and availability. More? References | Discussion Page | Journal Searches | 2019 References | 2020 References Search term: Gastrointestinal Tract Embryology | Gastrointestinal Tract Development

Older papers

These papers originally appeared in the Some Recent Findings table, but as that list grew in length have now been shuffled down to this collapsible table. See also the Discussion Page for other references listed by year and References on this current page. Three-dimensional reconstructions of intrahepatic bile duct tubulogenesis in human liver In the developing human liver, three-dimensional reconstructions using multiple marker proteins confirmed that the human intrahepatic biliary tree forms through several developmental stages involving an initial transition of primitive hepatocytes into cholangiocytes shaping the ductal plate followed by a process of maturation and remodeling where the intrahepatic biliary tree develops through an asymmetrical form of cholangiocyte tubulogenesis. liver Endocrine Pancreas "The transcription factor Pax6 functions in the specification and maintenance of the differentiated cell lineages in the endocrine pancreas. It has two DNA binding domains, the paired domain and the homeodomain, in addition to a C-terminal transactivation domain. The phenotype of Pax6-/- knockout mice suggests non-redundant functions of the transcription factor in the development of glucagon-expressing alpha-cells as this cell type is absent in the mutants." endocrine pancreas

Textbooks

• Human Embryology Larson Chapter 9 p229-260
• The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology (6th ed.) Moore and Persaud Chapter 12 p271-302
• Before We Are Born (5th ed.) Moore and Persaud Chapter 13 p255-287
• Essentials of Human Embryology Larson Chapter 9 p123-146
• Human Embryology Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald Chapter 19,20 p119-123

More? References | Online Textbooks | Historic Textbooks

UNSW Students
	You have access the following online Embryology resources and textbooks through the UNSW Library.
	Hill, M.A. (2020). UNSW Embryology (20th ed.) Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au GIT Links: Introduction | Medicine Lecture | Science Lecture | endoderm | mouth | oesophagus | stomach | liver | gallbladder | Pancreas | intestine | mesentery | tongue | taste | enteric nervous system | Stage 13 | Stage 22 | gastrointestinal abnormalities | Movies | Postnatal | milk | tooth | salivary gland | BGD Lecture | BGD Practical | GIT Terms | Category:Gastrointestinal Tract GIT Histology Links: Upper GIT | Salivary Gland | Smooth Muscle Histology | Liver | Gallbladder | Pancreas | Colon | Histology Stains | Histology | GIT Development Historic Embryology - Gastrointestinal Tract   1878 Alimentary Canal | 1882 The Organs of the Inner Germ-Layer The Alimentary Tube with its Appended Organs | 1884 Great omentum and transverse mesocolon | 1902 Meckel's diverticulum | 1902 The Organs of Digestion | 1903 Submaxillary Gland | 1906 Liver | 1907 Development of the Digestive System | 1907 Atlas | 1907 23 Somite Embryo | 1908 Liver | 1908 Liver and Vascular | 1910 Mucous membrane Oesophagus to Small Intestine | 1910 Large intestine and Vermiform process | 1911-13 Intestine and Peritoneum - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 5 | Part 6 | 1912 Digestive Tract | 1912 Stomach | 1914 Digestive Tract | 1914 Intestines | 1914 Rectum | 1915 Pharynx | 1915 Intestinal Rotation | 1917 Entodermal Canal | 1918 Anatomy | 1921 Alimentary Tube | 1932 Gall Bladder | 1939 Alimentary Canal Looping | 1940 Duodenum anomalies | 2008 Liver | 2016 GIT Notes | Historic Disclaimer Human Embryo: 1908 13-14 Somite Embryo | 1921 Liver Suspensory Ligament | 1926 22 Somite Embryo | 1907 23 Somite Embryo | 1937 25 Somite Embryo | 1914 27 Somite Embryo | 1914 Week 7 Embryo Animal Development: 1913 Chicken | 1951 Frog
	Moore, K.L., Persaud, T.V.N. & Torchia, M.G. (2015). The developing human: clinically oriented embryology (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. (links only function with UNSW connection) Chapter 11 Alimentary System The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology (10th edn)  UNSW Students have online access to the current 10th edn. through the UNSW Library subscription (with student Zpass log-in). APA Citation: Moore, K.L., Persaud, T.V.N. & Torchia, M.G. (2015). The developing human: clinically oriented embryology (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. Links: PermaLink | UNSW Embryology Textbooks | Embryology Textbooks | UNSW Library Introduction to the Developing Human First Week of Human Development Second Week of Human Development Third Week of Human Development Fourth to Eighth Weeks of Human Development Fetal Period Placenta and Fetal Membranes Body Cavities and Diaphragm Pharyngeal Apparatus, Face, and Neck Respiratory System Alimentary System Urogenital System Cardiovascular System Skeletal System Muscular System Development of Limbs Nervous System Development of Eyes and Ears Integumentary System Human Birth Defects Common Signaling Pathways Used During Development Appendix : Discussion of Clinically Oriented Problems
	Schoenwolf, G.C., Bleyl, S.B., Brauer, P.R., Francis-West, P.H. & Philippa H. (2015). Larsen's human embryology (5th ed.). New York; Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.(links only function with UNSW connection) Chapter 14 Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract Larsen's Human Embryology (5th edn)  UNSW students have full access to this textbook edition through UNSW Library subscription (with student Zpass log-in). APA Citation: Schoenwolf, G.C., Bleyl, S.B., Brauer, P.R., Francis-West, P.H. & Philippa H. (2015). Larsen's human embryology (5th ed.). New York; Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Links: PermaLink | UNSW Embryology Textbooks | Embryology Textbooks | UNSW Library Gametogenesis, Fertilization, and First Week Second Week: Becoming Bilaminar and Fully Implanting Third Week: Becoming Trilaminar and Establishing Body Axes Fourth Week: Forming the Embryo Principles and Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Dysmorphogenesis Fetal Development and the Fetus as Patient Development of the Skin and Its Derivatives Development of the Musculoskeletal System Development of the Central Nervous System Development of the Peripheral Nervous System Development of the Respiratory System and Body Cavities Development of the Heart Development of the Vasculature Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract Development of the Urinary System Development of the Reproductive System Development of the Pharyngeal Apparatus and Face Development of the Ears Development of the Eyes Development of the Limbs

Objectives

• Understanding of germ layer contributions to the early gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
• Understanding of the folding of the GIT
• Understanding of three main GIT embryonic divisions
• Understanding of associated organ development (liver, pancreas, spleen)
• Brief understanding of mechanical changes (rotations) during GIT development
• Brief understanding of gastrointestinal abnormalities

Germ Layer Contributions

• Endoderm - epithelium and associated glands
• Mesoderm (splanchnic) - mesentry, connective tissues, smooth muscle, blood vessels
• Ectoderm (neural crest) - enteric nervous system (neural tube) - extrinsic innervation

Both endoderm and mesoderm will contribute to associated organs.

Gastrointestinal Tract Movies

Gastrointestinal Tract Movies
‎‎Week 3 Mesoderm Page | Play	‎‎Week 3 Page | Play	‎‎Amniotic Cavity Page | Play	‎‎Endoderm Page | Play	‎‎Stomach Rotation Page | Play
‎‎Tract Growth Page | Play	‎‎Greater Omentum Page | Play	‎‎Lesser sac Page | Play	‎‎Urogenital Septum Page | Play	‎‎GIT Stage 13 Page | Play
‎‎GIT Stage 22 Page | Play	‎‎Sagittal GIT Page | Play	‎‎GIT Motility Page | Play	‎‎Gastroschisis Page | Play	‎‎Omphalocele Page | Play
Stage 13 (week 5)	Stage 22 (week 8)	Stage 23 (week 8)	GIT Abnormalities Ultrasound

Gastrointestinal Tract Divisions

During the 4th week the 3 distinct divisions (foregut, Midgut and hindgut) extend the length of the embryo from oral membrane to cloacal membrane and will contribute different components of the GIT. These 3 divisions are also later anatomically defined by the vascular (artery) supply to each of theses divisions.

The large mid-gut is generated by lateral embryonic folding which "pinches off" a pocket of the yolk sac, the 2 compartments continue to communicate through the vitelline duct.

The oral cavity (mouth) is formed following breakdown of the buccopharyngeal membrane (oropharyngeal, oral membrane) and contributed to mainly by the pharynx lying within the pharyngeal arches. The opening of the GIT means that it contains amniotic fluid, which is also swallowed later in development.

Foregut

Stage 11 foregut

First embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract, extending from the oral (buccopharyngeal) membrane and contributing oesophagus, stomach, duodenum (to bile duct opening), liver, biliary apparatus (hepatic ducts, gallbladder, and bile duct), and pancreas. The forgut blood supply is the celiac artery (trunk) excluding the pharynx, lower respiratory tract, and most of the oesophagus.

From the oral cavity the next portion of the foregut is initially a single gastrointestinal (oesophagus) and respiratory (trachea) common tube, the pharynx which lies behind the heart. Note that the respiratory tract will form from a ventral bud arising at this level.

• Oral cavity
• Pharynx (esophagus, trachea)
• Respiratory tract
• Stomach

Midgut

midgut herniation

The middle embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract contributing the small intestine (including duodenum beneath distal bile duct opening), cecum, appendix, ascending colon, and part of the transverse colon (right half to two thirds). The midgut blood supply is the superior mesenteric artery.

Much of the midgut is herniated at the umbilicus external to the abdomen through development. A key step in development is the rotation of this midgut that must occur to place the GIT in the correct abdominal position with its associated mesentry. The GIT itself differentiates to form significantly different structures along its length: oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ilium (small intestine), colon (large intestine).

The mesenteries of the GIT are generated from the common dorsal mesentery, with the ventral mesentry contributing to the lesser omentum and falciform ligament.

Note the duodenum is commonly divided into 4 anatomical sequential parts (superior, descending, horizontal, ascending).

Links: intestine | mesentery

Hindgut

The final embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract consisting initially of the cloaca snd extending to the cloacal membrane. The hindgut contributes part of the transverse colon (left half to one third), descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, part of anal canal (superior), urinary epithelium (bladder and most urethra).

The initial cloaca space will later become partitioned by a septum into a dorsal gastrointestinal component (rectum) and ventral urogenital sinus (renal/genital component).

Links: cloaca | intestine | bladder | genital

Development Overview

GIT shown in green anchored by dosal and ventral mesogastrium. The space ouside this will be the peritoneal cavity.

Red ring - neural tube with neural crest Blue ring - notocord Orange - somites

Differentiation of associated organs at the level of the forming stomach occurs both dorsally (spleen) and ventrally (liver).

 

Large blue ring - dorsal aorta Dark green ring - liver

Continued growth of the GIT and the organs leads to organ movements and bending of tract.

Carnegie stage 13 Embryo Overview

Below is an overview of the sections starting at the level of pharynx compressed dorsoventrally, following the GIT through to the rectum. The most obvious feature is that of a continuous tube initially, attached by dorsoventral mesentry. Outside this tube and mesentry (at the levels below the lung buds) is the intraembryonic coelom that will form the peritoneal cavity. The hepatic diverticulum (liver bud) lies under the septum transversum is the earliest associated GIT organ that has differentiated, and now occupies a substantial region of the abdomen. Clicking on sections below will open the original images.

Bifurcation of the pharynx into anterior respiratory and posterior oesophagous.	The stomach forming beneath the lung buds and adjacent to the developing liver.	Below the stomach the GIT has a large dorsal mesogastrium and finer ventral mesogastrium. Associated with the tract is the large portal blood vessel derived from the vitelline circulation.	At the bottom curvature of the embryo the mesentry association with the GIT shows extensive vitelline vessels running out through the umbilicus. The hindgut can then be seen, ending at the common urogenital sinus, the cloaca.

Innervation

Myenteric plexus lying between the outer two layers of smooth muscle

The gastrointestinal tract has both intrinsic and extrinsic innervation. (see the recent review)

• The intrinsic innervation, the enteric plexus, is derived from neural crest cells migrating into and along the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • mainly vagal region neural crest - generating both neurons and glia.
  • some sacral neural crest - in chicken.
• The extrinsic innervation occurs by efferent and afferent nerves, from the vagus and sympathetic chain and pelvic nerves.
  • Vagus - sensory and motor fibers project from oesophagus to small intestine.
  • Sympathetic and parasympathetic - lower oesophagus to large intestine.
  • Pelvic nerves - large intestine, rectum.

Gastrointestinal Tract Plexuses (enteric nervous system)

Myenteric plexus	Submucosal plexus
Auerbach's plexus	Meissner's plexus
Leopold Auerbach (1828–1897) a German anatomist and neuropathologist.	Georg Meissner (1829–1905) a German anatomist and physiologist.
first formed plexus lies between the outer longitudinal and inner circular smooth muscle layers of muscularis externa provides motor innervation to both layers secretomotor innervation to the mucosa both parasympathetic and sympathetic input	forms 2-3 days after the myenteric plexus formed by cells migrating from the myenteric plexus innervates smooth muscle of the muscularis mucosae only parasympathetic fibers
Links: enteric nervous system | intestine | neural crest | PMID 25428846

Neural History

• 1857 Meissner was the first to describe a nerve plexus in the submucosa of the bowel wall.
• 1864 Auerbach described the myenteric plexus between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers.
• 1981 LeDouarin describes neural crest contribution to both plexuses.

Myenteric Plexus

• Peristalsis
• Coordinated waves of descending inhibition followed by waves of descending excitation

+ Extrinsic parasympathetic cholinergic nerves (vagal and sacral) excite peristalsis and stimulate

- Sympathetic noradrenergic nerves inhibit the transit of gut contents

Submucosal Plexus

• epithelial movements
• secretion and absorption

Links: neural crest

Associated Organs

Liver, pancreas and spleen (stage 22 embryo).

The early tract develops as a simple tube, then a number of endodermal outgrowths from this tube at different levels and contribute to a range of additional organs and tissues. The gastrointestinal associated organs liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Development of these organs is described on separate pages.

There are also a number of additional non-gastrointestinal structures including the respiratory tract and development within the mesentery such as the spleen.

Links: Liver | Gall Bladder | PancreasLiver Histology | Pancreas Histology | Gall Bladder Histology

Gastrointestinal Tract Abnormalities

Only a brief description is given on this current page, for more details see Gastrointestinal Tract - Abnormalities.

Lumen Abnormalities

There are several types of abnormalities that impact upon the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract lumen.

• Atresia - interuption of the lumen (esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, extrahepatic biliary atresia, anorectal atresia)
• Stenosis - narrowing of the lumen (duodenal stenosis, pyloric stenosis).
• Duplication - incomplete recanalization resulting in parallel lumens, this is really a specialized form of stenosis.

Meckel's Diverticulum

This GIT abnormality is a very common and results from improper closure and absorption of the omphalomesenteric duct (vitelline duct) in development. This transient developmental duct connects the yolk to the primitive GIT.

Intestinal Malrotation

Links: Intestinal Malrotation

Intestinal Aganglionosis

(intestinal aganglionosis, Hirschsprung's disease, aganglionic colon, megacolon, congenital aganglionic megacolon, congenital megacolon) A condition caused by the lack of enteric nervous system (neural ganglia) in the intestinal tract responsible for gastric motility (peristalsis).

Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis (omphalocele, paraomphalocele, laparoschisis, abdominoschisis, abdominal hernia) is a congenital abdominal wall defect which results in herniation of fetal abdominal viscera (intestines and/or organs) into the amniotic cavity. Incidence of gastroschisis has been reported at 1.66/10,000, occuring more frequently in young mothers (less than 20 years old).

By definition, it is a body wall musculoskeletal defect, not a gastrointestinal tract defect, which in turn impacts upon GIT development.

Links: Gastroschisis | Gastrointestinal Tract - Abnormalities

Molecular

The endoderm of the developing gastrointestinal tract is a source for patterning signals for both within the tract and also for the surrounding organs and tissues.

• Sox2 - expressed in the anterior part of the primitive gut
• Cdx2 - expressed in the posterior part of the primitive gut
• GDNF - regulate migration of enteric neural crest cells
• endothelin - regulate migration of enteric neural crest cells

References

Online Textbooks

• Developmental Biology (6th ed) Gilbert, Scott F. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates, Inc.; c2000. The Digestive Tube and Its Derivatives | Endodermal development of a human embryo
• The Gastrointestinal Circulation Peter R. Kvietys. San Rafael (CA): Morgan & Claypool Publishers; 2010. Table of Contents
• Motor Function of the Pharynx, Esophagus, and its Sphincters. Mittal RK. San Rafael (CA): Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences; 2011. Table of Contents
• Search NLM Online Textbooks "gastrointestinal tract" : Developmental Biology | Endocrinology | Molecular Biology of the Cell | The Cell- A molecular Approach

Historic Textbooks

• The Elements of Embryology by Foster, M., Balfour, F. M., Sedgwick, A., & Heape, W. (1883) The Alimentary Canal and its Appendages
• Text-Book of the Embryology of Man and Mammals by Dr Oscar Hertwig (1892) The Organs of the Inner Germ-Layer The Alimentary Tube with its Appended Organs
• Atlas of the Development of Man Volume 2 by Julius Kollmann (1907) Gastrointestinal
• Text-Book of Embryology by Bailey, F.R. and Miller, A.M. (1921) Alimentary tube and organs

Historic Disclaimer - information about historic embryology pages

Pages where the terms "Historic" (textbooks, papers, people, recommendations) appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms, interpretations and recommendations may not reflect our current scientific understanding.     (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers)

Reviews

Le Guen L, Marchal S, Faure S & de Santa Barbara P. (2015). Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during digestive tract development and epithelial stem cell regeneration. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. , 72, 3883-96. PMID: 26126787 DOI.

Browning KN & Travagli RA. (2014). Central nervous system control of gastrointestinal motility and secretion and modulation of gastrointestinal functions. Compr Physiol , 4, 1339-68. PMID: 25428846 DOI.

Hao MM, Bornstein JC, Vanden Berghe P, Lomax AE, Young HM & Foong JP. (2013). The emergence of neural activity and its role in the development of the enteric nervous system. Dev. Biol. , 382, 365-74. PMID: 23261929 DOI.

Burns AJ, Roberts RR, Bornstein JC & Young HM. (2009). Development of the enteric nervous system and its role in intestinal motility during fetal and early postnatal stages. Semin. Pediatr. Surg. , 18, 196-205. PMID: 19782301 DOI.

Burn SF & Hill RE. (2009). Left-right asymmetry in gut development: what happens next?. Bioessays , 31, 1026-37. PMID: 19708022 DOI.

McLin VA, Henning SJ & Jamrich M. (2009). The role of the visceral mesoderm in the development of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenterology , 136, 2074-91. PMID: 19303014 DOI.

Young HM. (2008). On the outside looking in: longitudinal muscle development in the gut. Neurogastroenterol. Motil. , 20, 431-3. PMID: 18416699 DOI.

Rubin DC. (2007). Intestinal morphogenesis. Curr. Opin. Gastroenterol. , 23, 111-4. PMID: 17268237 DOI.

Neu J. (2007). Gastrointestinal development and meeting the nutritional needs of premature infants. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. , 85, 629S-634S. PMID: 17284768

Anderson RB, Newgreen DF & Young HM. (2006). Neural crest and the development of the enteric nervous system. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. , 589, 181-96. PMID: 17076282 DOI.

Costa RH, Kalinichenko VV, Holterman AX & Wang X. (2003). Transcription factors in liver development, differentiation, and regeneration. Hepatology , 38, 1331-47. PMID: 14647040 DOI.

de Santa Barbara P, van den Brink GR & Roberts DJ. (2003). Development and differentiation of the intestinal epithelium. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. , 60, 1322-32. PMID: 12943221 DOI.

Johnson LR. (1985). Functional development of the stomach. Annu. Rev. Physiol. , 47, 199-215. PMID: 3922287 DOI.

Articles

Ueno S, Yamada S, Uwabe C, Männer J, Shiraki N & Takakuwa T. (2016). The Digestive Tract and Derived Primordia Differentiate by Following a Precise Timeline in Human Embryos Between Carnegie Stages 11 and 13. Anat Rec (Hoboken) , 299, 439-49. PMID: 26995337 DOI.

Wilm B, Ipenberg A, Hastie ND, Burch JB & Bader DM. (2005). The serosal mesothelium is a major source of smooth muscle cells of the gut vasculature. Development , 132, 5317-28. PMID: 16284122 DOI.

Search PubMed

Year	Total articles	Reviews	Free fun text
Mar 2007	29,361	3,494
Apr 2010	35980	4707	8086
Dec 2018	58103	9188	44728

Search Pubmed: Gastrointestinal Tract Development

Additional Images

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  buccopharyngeal membrane

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  serial sections stage 13

Historic

Historic Disclaimer - information about historic embryology pages

Pages where the terms "Historic" (textbooks, papers, people, recommendations) appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms, interpretations and recommendations may not reflect our current scientific understanding.     (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers)

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  Historic image showing midgut herniation

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  1914 Thyng

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  1914 Thyng Plate 2

Terms

Gastrointestinal Tract Terms
allantois - An extraembryonic membrane, endoderm in origin extension from the early hindgut, then cloaca into the connecting stalk of placental animals, connected to the superior end of developing bladder. In reptiles and birds, acts as a reservoir for wastes and mediates gas exchange. In mammals is associated/incorporated with connecting stalk/placental cord fetal-maternal interface. amnion - An extra-embryonic membrane, ectoderm and extraembryonic mesoderm in origin, also forms the innermost fetal membrane, that produces amniotic fluid. This fluid-filled sac initially lies above the trilaminar embryonic disc and with embryoic disc folding this sac is drawn ventrally to enclose (cover) the entire embryo, then fetus. The presence of this membrane led to the description of reptiles, bird, and mammals as amniotes. amniotic fluid - The fluid that fills amniotic cavity totally encloses and cushions the embryo. Amniotic fluid enters both the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract following rupture of the buccopharyngeal membrane. The late fetus swallows amniotic fluid. atresia - is an abnormal interruption of the tube lumen, the abnormality naming is based upon the anatomical location. buccal - (Latin, bucca = cheek) A term used to relate to the mouth (oral cavity). bile salts - Liver synthesized compounds derived from cholesterol that function postnatally in the small intestine to solubilize and absorb lipids, vitamins, and proteins. These compounds act as water-soluble amphipathic detergents. liver buccopharyngeal membrane - (oral membrane) (Latin, bucca = cheek) A membrane which forms the external upper membrane limit (cranial end) of the early gastrointestinal tract. This membrane develops during gastrulation by ectoderm and endoderm without a middle (intervening) layer of mesoderm. The membrane lies at the floor of the ventral depression (stomodeum) where the oral cavity will open and will breakdown to form the initial "oral opening" of the gastrointestinal tract. The equivilent membrane at the lower end of the gastrointestinal tract is the cloacal membrane. celiac artery - (celiac trunk) main blood supply to the foregut, excluding the pharynx, lower respiratory tract, and most of the oesophagus. cholangiocytes - epithelial cells that line the intra- and extrahepatic ducts of the biliary tree. These cells modify the hepatocyte-derived bile, and are regulated by hormones, peptides, nucleotides, neurotransmitters, and other molecules. liver cloaca - (cloacal cavity) The term describing the common cavity into which the intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts open in vertebrates. Located at the caudal end of the embryo it is located on the surface by the cloacal membrane. In many species this common cavity is later divided into a ventral urogenital region (urogenital sinus) and a dorsal gastrointestinal (rectal) region. cloacal membrane - Forms the external lower membrane limit (caudal end) of the early gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This membrane is formed during gastrulation by ectoderm and endoderm without a middle (intervening) layer of mesoderm. The membrane breaks down to form the initial "anal opening" of the gastrointestinal tract. coelomic cavity - (coelom) Term used to describe a space. There are extra-embryonic and intra-embryonic coeloms that form during vertebrate development. The single intra-embryonic coelom forms the 3 major body cavities: pleural cavity, pericardial cavity and peritoneal cavity. crypt of Lieberkühn - (intestinal gland, intestinal crypt) intestinal villi epithelia extend down into the lamina propria where they form crypts that are the source of epithelial stem cells and immune function. duplication - is an abnormal incomplete tube recanalization resulting in parallel lumens, this is really a specialized form of stenosis. (More? Image - small intestine duplication) enteric nervous system - (ENS) neural crest in origin, both neurons and glia. Regulates gastrointestinal tract: motility, secretion and blood flow. esophageal - (oesophageal) esophageal atresia - (oesophageal atresia, atresia of oesophagus) group of congenital anomalies with an interruption in the continuity of the oesophagus, with or without persistent communication with the trachea. (More? gastrointestinal abnormalities |  ICD-11 LB12.1 Atresia of oesophagus Medline Plus) foregut - first embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract extending from the oral (buccopharyngeal) membrane and contributing oesophagus, stomach, duodenum (to bile duct opening), liver, biliary apparatus (hepatic ducts, gallbladder, and bile duct), and pancreas. The forgut blood supply is the celiac artery (trunk) excluding the pharynx, lower respiratory tract, and most of the oesophagus. galactosemia - Metabolic abnormality where the simple sugar galactose (half of lactose, the sugar in milk) cannot be metabolised. People with galactosemia cannot tolerate any form of milk (human or animal). Detected by the Guthrie test. gastric transposition - clinical term for postnatal surgery treatment for esophageal atresia involving esophageal replacement. Typically performed on neonates between day 1 to 4. (More? gastrointestinal abnormalities | PMID 28658159 gastrointestinal divisions - refers to the 3 embryonic divisions contributing the gastrointestinal tract: foregut, Midgut and hindgut. gastrula - (Greek, gastrula = little stomach) A stage of an animal embryo in which the three germ layers (endoderm/mesoderm/ectoderm) have just formed. All of these germ layers have contributions to the gastrointestinal tract. gastrulation - The process of differentiation forming a gastrula. Term means literally means "to form a gut" but is more in development, as this process converts the bilaminar embryo (epiblast/hypoblast) into the trilaminar embryo (endoderm/mesoderm/ectoderm) establishing the 3 germ layers that will form all the future tissues of the entire embryo. This process also establishes the the initial body axes. (More? gastrulation) Guthrie test - (heel prick) A neonatal blood screening test developed by Dr Robert Guthrie (1916-95) for determining a range of metabolic disorders and infections in the neonate. (More? Guthrie test) heterotaxia - (Greek heteros = different; taxis = arrangement) is the right/left transposition of thoracic and/or abdominal organs. hindgut - final embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract extending to the cloacal membrane and contributing part of the transverse colon (left half to one third), descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, part of anal canal (superior), urinary epithelium (bladder and most urethra). The hindgut blood supply is the inferior mesenteric artery. inferior mesenteric artery - main blood supply to the hindgut intestine - (bowel) part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lying between the stomach and anus where absorption of nutrients and water occur. This region is further divided anatomically and functionally into the small intestine or bowel (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and large intestine or bowel (cecum and colon). intestinal perforation - gastrointestinal abnormality identified in neonates can be due to necrotizing enterocolitis, Hirschsprung’s disease or meconium ileus. intraembryonic coelom - The "horseshoe-shaped" space (cavity) that forms initially in the third week of development in the lateral plate mesoderm that will eventually form the 3 main body cavities: pericardial, pleural, peritoneal. The intraembryonic coelom communicates transiently with the extraembryonic coelom. meconium ileus intestine obstruction within the ileum due to abnormal meconium properties. mesentery - connects gastrointestinal tract to the posterior body wall and is a double layer of visceral peritoneum. mesothelium - The mesoderm derived epithelial covering of coelomic organs and also line their cavities. Midgut - middle embryonic division of gastrointestinal tract contributing the small intestine (including duodenum distal bile duct opening), cecum, appendix, ascending colon, and part of the transverse colon (right half to two thirds). The midgut blood supply is the superior mesenteric artery. neuralation - The general term used to describe the early formation of the nervous system. It is often used to describe the early events of differentiation of the central ectoderm region to form the neural plate, then neural groove, then neural tube. The nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) from the neural tube and the peripheral nervous system (peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia) from neural crest. In humans, early neuralation begins in week 3 and continues through week 4. neural crest - region of cells at the edge of the neural plate that migrates throughout the embryo and contributes to many different tissues. In the gastrointestinal tract it contributes mainly the enteric nervous system within the wall of the gut responsible for peristalsis and secretion. peritoneal stomata - the main openings forming the pathways for drainage of intra-peritoneal fluid from the peritoneal cavity into the lymphatic system. pharynx - uppermost end of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, in the embryo beginning at the buccopharyngeal membrane and forms a major arched cavity within the phrayngeal arches. recanalization - describes the process of a hollow structure becoming solid, then becoming hollow again. For example, this process occurs during GIT, auditory and renal system development. retroperitoneal - (retroperitoneum) is the anatomical space (sometimes a potential space) in the abdominal cavity behind (retro) the peritoneum. Developmentally parts of the GIT become secondarily retroperitoneal (part of duodenum, ascending and descending colon, pancreas) somitogenesis The process of segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm within the trilaminar embryo body to form pairs of somites, or balls of mesoderm. A somite is added either side of the notochord (axial mesoderm) to form a somite pair. The segmentation does not occur in the head region, and begins cranially (head end) and extends caudally (tailward) adding a somite pair at regular time intervals. The process is sequential and therefore used to stage the age of many different species embryos based upon the number visible somite pairs. In humans, the first somite pair appears at day 20 and adds caudally at 1 somite pair/4 hours (mouse 1 pair/90 min) until on average 44 pairs eventually form. splanchnic mesoderm - Gastrointestinal tract (endoderm) associated mesoderm formed by the separation of the lateral plate mesoderm into two separate components by a cavity, the intraembryonic coelom. Splanchnic mesoderm is the embryonic origin of the gastrointestinal tract connective tissue, smooth muscle, blood vessels and contribute to organ development (pancreas, spleen, liver). The intraembryonic coelom will form the three major body cavities including the space surrounding the gut, the peritoneal cavity. The other half of the lateral plate mesoderm (somatic mesoderm) is associated with the ectoderm of the body wall. stomodeum - (stomadeum, stomatodeum) A ventral surface depression on the early embryo head surrounding the buccopharyngeal membrane, which lies at the floor of this depression. This surface depression lies between the maxillary and mandibular components of the first pharyngeal arch. stenosis - abnormal a narrowing of the tube lumen, the abnormality naming is based upon the anatomical location. superior mesenteric artery - main blood supply to the Midgut. viscera - the internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially those in the abdomen, for example the Template:Intestines. visceral peritoneum - covers the external surfaces of the intestinal tract and organs within the peritoneum. The other component (parietal peritoneum) lines the abdominal and pelvic cavity walls. yolk sac - An extraembryonic membrane which is endoderm origin and covered with extraembryonic mesoderm. Yolk sac lies outside the embryo connected initially by a yolk stalk to the midgut with which it is continuous with. The endodermal lining is continuous with the endoderm of the gastrointestinal tract. The extra-embryonic mesoderm differentiates to form both blood and blood vessels of the vitelline system. In reptiles and birds, the yolk sac has a function associated with nutrition. In mammals the yolk sac acts as a source of primordial germ cells and blood cells. Note that in early development (week 2) a structure called the "primitive yolk sac" forms from hypoblast, this is an entirely different structure. yolk stalk - (vitelline duct, omphalomesenteric duct, Latin, vitellus = yolk of an egg) The endodermal connection between the midgut and the yolk sac. See vitelline duct.
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2023, December 5) Embryology Gastrointestinal Tract Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Gastrointestinal_Tract_Development

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© Dr Mark Hill 2023, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G