48-HOUR CHICK EMBRYO

WHOLE MOUNT

body is thicker and more opaque

cranial half of embryo covered with head fold of the amnion
this fold moves posteriorly over the embryo, meets the lateral amniotic body fold from the sides and together forms that amniotic fold
the caudal part does not show such covering; instead, start of the tail or caudal fold starts to establish the caudal boundary of the body such that the embryo is
separated from the underlying blastoderm by the subcaudal pocket (The beginning of this fold is to be seen as a concavity facing the anterior end.)
along with the rapid growth of the anterior portion (cephalization) of the chick embryo, it also shows both ventralflexion (bending) and dextral torsion (twisting) of the
anterior end = half of the total length of embryo lies in its left side while the posterior half remains in original position
cranial flexure at the midbrain level is quite pronounced, while cervical flexure (near junction of hindbrain and spinal cord) is just indicated
Torsion involves all of the head, both cranial and cervical flexures
Heart has elongated, twisted upon itself
Ventricle later comes to lie posterior to the position of the atrium; both chambers lie outside the body of the embryo

3 fetal membranes are observable here:

1. Amnion encircles the anterior portion of the embryo and consists of an inner layer of ectoderm and an outer layer of somatic mesoderm
2. Yolk sac double-membraned structure lying on the left side of the embryo and contains blood vessels; derived from endoderm and splanchnic mesoderm
3. Chorion double-layered membrane which lies on the right side of the embryo; consists of an outer layer of ectoderm and an inner somatic mesoderm, lying close to
the amnion
-

3 irregular white lines can be seen radiating out from the heart toward the auditory vesicle: Most anterior 1st branchial groove, 2nd branchial groove, and the last is 3rd
branchial groove
1st visceral arch: mass of cells cranial to the 1st branchial groove; partially splitted into 2 processes by another line, the stomodeum
2nd visceral arch: between the 1st and 2nd groove
3rd visceral arch: between the 2nd and 3rd groove
Maxillary process of the 1st visceral arch: process anterior to the stomodeum
Mandibular process of the 1st visceral arch: process posterior to the stomodeum

STRUCTURE
Mesencephalon

LOCATION
Oval shaped and the 1st cavity
of brain to be observed

Isthmus

Constriction at the lengthened

TRANSVERSE SECTION
SECTION THROUGH THE MESENCEPHALON
FUNCTION
HOW IS IT FORMED?

Partially separates the

ORIGIN

FATE
-moving posteriorly, section
lengthens, showing a frontal
section of the several
divisions of the brain (due to
cranial flexure)

section of the brain

Myelencephalon
Metencephalon
Mesenchyme
Fetal membranes
Extraembryonic coelom

Thin roof of the brain found at

the opposite end of the
mesencephalon
Underlined portion of the brain
section between the
myelencephalon and isthmus
Loose connective tissues
between the brain and the
epidermis
Space between the chorion,
yolk sac, and amnion

Diencephalon

Velum transversum

Depression found in the dorsal

wall of the forebrain

Metencephalon

Still poorly defined and

anteriorly delimited by isthmus
Upper, larger cavity of the 2
brain cavities which has a thin
roof
Dark accumulation of cell on
each side of the body closer to
the myelencephalon
Masses of cells found lateral to
the myelencephalon and above
the anterior cardinal veins
Space lined by very thin wall
along each side of the

Myelencephalon
Semilunar ganglion
Jugular ganglion
Anterior cardinal vein
Syn: Precardinal vein

mesencephalon from
the hindbrain

*refer to the descriptions given in the previous section*

Bounded by mesoderm
SECTION THROUGH THE DIENCEPHALON
Replaces the position Lower cavity when the
occupied by the
brain separates into 2
mesencephalon in the cavities as the section is
preceding position
traced posteriorly
Serves as the
demarcation between
the diencephalon and
telencephalon
In later devt, will form the
posterior choroid plexus
Ganglion of the
trigeminal (V) cranial
nerve
Ganglion of the X
cranial nerve
When the section is
moved posteriorly, It

myelencephalon

Notochord

Small, elongated mass of

vacuolated cells that appear
between the myelencephalon
and the diencephalons

Otic Vesicle
Syn: Auditory vesicle,
Otocyst

Paired vesicle on each side of

the myelencephalon

Anterior cardinal vein

Pair of blood vessels on the

ventro-lateral side of the otic
vesicle
Dark accumulation of cells
close to (and sometimes
attached to) the otic vesicle
and anterior cardinal vein, and
lateral to myelencephalon
Dark accumulation of cell on
each side of the body attached
to the myelencephalon
*Observe the root of ganglion
(pink structure seemingly
embedded in the
myelencephalon and attached
to the ganglion)

Acoustico-facialis
ganglion

Semilunar ganglion

breaks into long spaces

toward the diencephalons.
Further posteriorly, lies
progressively more dorsal
and soon lie on both
ventrolateral side of the
myelencephalon
Tracing posteriorly, it
separates immediately into
2 (due to cranial flexure),
eventually becomes one in
the succeeding section
SECTION THROUGH THE OTIC VESICLE
Starts to be formed as an
invagination of the
ectoderm

Ganglia of VII and VIII

cranial nerves

Ganglion of the
trigeminal (V) cranial
nerve

In the dorsal wall of the

vesicle of older
specimens, a small
invagination, the
forerunner of
endolymphatic duct, can
be observed

Superior ganglion

Accumulation of cells on both

sides of the myelencephalon
which is observed eother when
the otic vesicle is no longer
present or immediately
posterior to the auditory
vesicles

Optic cup

Double-walled structures on
each side of the diencephalons

a.
b.

SECTION THROUGH THE OPTIC CUPS

Sensory retina (thicker Derived from the optic
layer)
vesicles by invagination
Pigmented retina
(thinner layer)

Presumptive
retina
Presumptive
pigmented
epithelium

Lens vesicle

Inner layer of the cup

Outer layer of the cup,
later become the
pigmented layer of the
retina
Little sac-like cavity nestled
within the optic cups

Optic stalk
Pharynx

a.

Ganglion of the
glossopharyngeal (IX)
nerve

1st pharyngeal
pouch
(hyomandibular
pouch)

1st closing plate/ 1st

branchial plate
Preoral gut

Arises as an invagination
of the ectoderm
Connects the optic
cup with the
diencephalon

Cavity, which started as a hole

below the notochord is now
triangular
Middle portion of the pharynx
proper and the arms of the
triangle

Projects from the pharynx

proper dorso-laterally and
then invaginates to form
the 1st branchial groove
Double-layered membrane
formed

Anteriormost part of the foregut

seen as small circle or oval

structure separated from the

pharynx by oral plate

Carotid loop
Internal carotid arteries

Dorsal aorta
1st aortic arch

Extends forward as a fingerlike

diverticulum anterior to the
future mouth
Elongated spaces medial to
the anterior cardinal veins
Paired vessels extending from
the carotid loops alongside the
forebrain and medial to the
optic cups
Blood vessels on either side of
the notochord and lies aboce
the 1st pharyngeal pouch
Blood vessels that lie beneath
the 1st pharyngeal pouches

Extensions of the 1st

aortic arches

Tracing posteriorly, it
becomes located within
the mandibular processes
Further posteriorly, paired
aortic arches approach
one another and becomes
continuous with ventral
aorta

Visceral arches

Mandibular arch
Syn: 1st visceral arch
Maxillary arch

Found between two

pharyngeal pouches
These lateral walls are greatly
thickened and filled with
mesenchymal cells
The more anterior of the 2
rounded mesenchymal masses
between which lies the
stomodeum
The other rounded or flattened
masses on either side of the
Rathkes pouch

Bears the 1st aortic

arch

Named as such because

they will form the jaws

Rathkes pouch
Oral plate
Syn: Pharyngeal
membrane
Infundibulum

Diencephalon
Stomodeum
Notochord
Thyroid rudiment
2nd aortic arch

Small vesicle between the

infundibulum and pharynx
Thin line

Ventral aorta
Syn: Aortic sac

Separating the
stomodeum and
pharynx

Later form the hypophysis

Ectoderm and endoderm

Evagination from the

diencephalons extending
in the direction of the
foregut
More elongated in shape in this
section
Slit-like space where Rathkes
pouch open
As previously described
SECTION THROUGH THE THYROID RUDIMENT AND 2ND AORTIC ARCH
Depression in the floor of the
pharynx
Blood vessels that lie beneath
the 2nd pharyngeal pouches
Contained within the 2nd
visceral arches (hyoid arches)

2nd pharyngeal pouch

Dorsal evagination of the

stomodeum

2nd outpocketing of the

pharynx, seen at the posterior
sections of the otic vesicle or
when the otic vesicle is not
seen anymore
Blood vessels beneath the
pharynx
Starts where the bases of the
1st aortic arches meet
Ventral ends of 2nd aortic

Later evaginate the

posterior (neural) lobe of
the hypophysis

Posteriorly, these blood

vessels extend downward
from each dorsal aortae
Ventral ends become
continuous with the ventral
aorta a few sections more
posteriorly

Further traced posteriorly,

appearance of 2 layers in
its wall indicates the
beginning of bulbus cordis

arches become continuous

with this sac also, likewise the
ventral ends of the deving 3rd
aortic arches
SECTION THROUGH THE 3RD AORTIC ARCH
RD

3 pharyngeal pouches

3rd aortic arches

3rd visceral arch

Bulbus cordis

Dorsal mesocardium
Nasal placode

Large outpocketing of the

pharynx
Together with the pharynx
gives a laterally oriented oval
cavity
Located beneath the 3d
pharyngeal pouch (not welldeveloped yet)
Another pair of downward
extensions from the dorsal
aorta
Located between the 2nd and
3rd pouches
Arches posterior to the hyoid
arch are sometimes referred to
as branchial arches because in
the lower verts, they bear the
gills
1st heart cavity to be observed
in the series
Presence of endocardium and
myocardium differentiate it
from the ventral aorta of the
preceding section
Mesodermal stalk that attaches
the heart to the dorsal wall of
the coelom
Thickened skin ectoderm

Ventral ends of these

vessels as mentioned
before is also continuous
with the ventral aorta

1st somite
Each somite is composed
of:
a. Dermatome
b.

Myotome

Anterior cardinal veins

Spinal cord
Descending aorta
Dorsal intersegmented
arteries
Conus arteriosus

Atrium

lateral to the telencephalon

Compact cell masses lying
immediately lateral to the
myelencephalon
Plate of darkly stained cells
beneath the skin of ectoderm

Dermis of skin

Plate of lightly stained cells

medial to the future dermatome
Located progressively ventrally

Muscle
Separates into 2
vessels at the level
lateral to foregut:

Postcardinal vein
(dorsal)
Common cardinal vein
(ventral)
SECTION THROUGH THE ATRIUM AND VENTRICLE
Section of the CNS present in this
section
Fused dorsal aorta
Small blood vessels arising at
intervals from dorsal aorta and
extending dorsally between spinal
cord and somite
Heart chamber at the right side of
embryo
Endocardium and myocardium
widely separated
Heart chamber at the left side of
embryo
Endocardium and myocardium are
in close contact with each other

Replaces myelencephalon
in the series

Auricles

Ventricle
Laryngotracheal groove
Future esophagus

Large looped heart chamber

Deep V-shaped depression in the
floor of foregut; seen in more
posterior sections
Dorsal portion of gut

Cardinal veins

Paired precardinal veins

progressively located ventrally

Sinus venosus

Portion of the heart attached to

the foregut by means of the
dorsal mesocardium
Blood vessel to which the sinus
venosus is attached
Mesenchyme enclosing the
common cardinal vein

Common cardinal vein

Syn: Duct of Cuvier
Pleuropericardial
membranes
Lung buds

Pleural cavity

Transverse septum

Connects conus
arteriosus and
atrium
Later develops larynx,
trachea, and the lung buds
Later differentiate from the
part of the foregut dorsal
to the laryngotracheal
groove
Separates into 2
vessels at a level
lateral to the
foregut:
Postcardinal vein
(dorsal)
Common cardinal
vein (ventral)
SECTION THROUGH THE SINUS VENOSUS

Separates the pleural

cavities from the
pericardial region of
the coelom
Slight evagination on the
ventro-lateral portions of
the foregut into the pleural
cavities

Paired portions of the coelom

lateral to the developing lung
buds and continuous with the
pericardial cavity
Mesenchyme surrounding the

sinus venosus from where the

dorsal mesocardium connects
the heart to the dorsal body
wall, in this case, the level of
the foregut

Cranial liver diverticulum

Syn: Dorsal diverticulum

Caudal liver rudiment

Syn: Ventral diverticulum
*Trace the connections of
the two liver diverticula to
the gut
Duodenum

Anterior intestinal portal

Vitelline veins
Syn: Omphalomesenteric
vein
*Trace them and note that
first the left, then the right

Connected with the

pleuropericardial membrane
Small mass of cells on the
dorsal side of the sinus
venosus lying in the transverse
septum ventral to the foregut

Liver arises as a
diverticulum from the wall
of the gut

Branch/es on the ventral side

of the cranial liver rudiment
appearing in more caudal
sections.
If the series is moved
posteriorly, the cranial liver
rudiment becomes continuous
with the foregut
SECTION THROUGH THE ANTERIOR INTESTINAL PORTAL
Opening of foregut to the
midgut
The floor of midgut is the yolk
so that after the removal of the
yolk in the slide prep, a space
is left which represents the
midgut
Pair of blood vessels which are
the posterior extensions of the
sinus venosus
These are also the same blood

vitelline veins pass out into

the yolk
Peritoneal cavity
Paired mesonephric duct

Lateral amniotic folds

Vitelline blood vessels

Paired dorsal aortae

Mesonephric tubule
rudiments

vessels that lie on each side of

the anterior intestinal portal
Big space where the organs
are
Small tubules lateral to the
descending aorta

Medial to this are the

mesonephric tubule rudiments
which will undergo cavitation
to form mesonephric tubules of
the paired mesonephric
kidneys
SECTION THROUGH THE LATERAL AMNIOTIC FOLDS
Elevated and about to fuse
Consists of
folds
somatopleure that
forms inner amnion
Continuous with the lateral
and outer chorion
body walls
Small blood vessels embedded
within the splanchnic
mesoderm
Big pair of blood vessels below
the notochord
*Note that the descending
aorta has not yet formed at
more caudal levels
Round cavity medial to the
mesonephric duct which is the
first observed at this level

Nephrostome
Vitelline arteries

Formed by delamination
from the nephrogenic cord
(nephrotome)

Opening of the
mesonephric tubule to
the coelom
*Trace the dorsal aorta until it
extends onto the yolk sac as
the vitelline arteries

SECTION THROUGH THE TAIL BUD

Tail bud
Hindgut
Allantoic rudiment
Caudal intestinal portal

Mass of mesenchymal cells at

the caudal end of the embryo
and covered by skin ectoderm
Posterior portion of gut where it
acquires a floor
Endoderm-lined cavity below
the tail bud
Space where the floor of the
allantoic rudiment disappears

Opening of the
hindgut in the yolk

72-HOUR CHICK EMBRYO

WHOLE MOUNT
1.

Note the changes in shape

In addition to the cranial/cephalic flexure in 48-hr chick embryo, two other flexures have appeared:
Cervical/Nuchal flexure at the level of the first several somites

2.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Tail flexure at the caudal end of the embryo

Amnion and Chorion enclosed the entire embryo
Paired wings and lung buds are visible but not sharply bounded
Allantois, a sac-like structure, is somewhat encircled by the tail
Take note of the ff. structures:
Telencephalon
Nasal pits
Diencephalon
Pineal gland
Optic cups
Optic fissure
Lens vesicle
Infundibulum
Rathkes pouch
Mesencephalon
Metencephalon
Isthmus
Myelencephalon
Auditory vesicle
Endolymphatic ducts
Spinal cord
TRANSVERSE SECTION

Trace the ff. structures in an ANTEROPOSTERIOR SEQUENCE

Identify the 3 fetal membranes
STRUCTURE
LOCATION
Metencephalon
Anterior part of the
hindbrain, has thicker walls
than myelencephalon
Boundary between
metencephalon and
myelencephalon is indistinct
Roof of this structure
undergoes enlargement ->

FUNCTION

HOW IS IT FORMED?

ORIGIN

FATE

Myelencephalon

Neuromeres

Posterior choroid plexus

Endolymphatic ducts

Auditory vesicles
Syn: otic vesicle,
otocysts

Acoustico-facialis
ganglia

Cerebellum of brain
Posterior part of the
hindbrain
Lying freely within the cavity
of this structure is the thin
roof plate of the
myelencephalon
Segmented enlargements in
the walls of the
myelencephalon and
metencephalon
Thin roof of the
myelencephalon which is
folded in the myelocoel
Structures appeared
alongside the walls of the
myelencephalon

Gives rise to the future roof of

meulla and adjacent skin
ectoderm
Brain of chick embryo
composed of 11
neuromeres:
Forebrain: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Midbrain: 4th and 5th
Hindbrain: 6th-11th
Where vascularization
occurs

Small, thick-walled oval

structure that appears
before the auditory vesicle
comes into view
Bigger than the
endolymphatic duct
*The level at which auditory
vesicles appeared first, 2
groups of nerve fibers arise
from neuromeres cranial to
each auditory vesicle and
become continuous with the
ganglia on each side
Dark mass of cells lying
against the cranial wall of

As you trace a few section

more posteriorly, the
preceding structure become
continuous with the auditory
vesicles which are located at
the level of the 10th neuromere
one on each side of the
myelencephalon.
Ganglia of the VII (facial)
and VIII (auditory) nerves

the auditory vesicles

Spinal cord
a. Central canal
b. Roof plate
c. Floor plate
d. Sulcus limitans

Central cavity of SC
Thin mid-dorsal wall of SC
Mid-ventral wall of SC
Lateral depression of the
central canal about midway
between the floor and roof
plates

e.

Alar plates

Dorso-lateral wings of SC
Wall between sulcus
limitans and roof plate

f.

Basal plates

Ventro-lateral wings of SC
Wall between sulcus
limitans and floor plate

Membranes of spinal
cord:
a.

b.

Marginal layer

Oute region of neural tube

composed of several fibers
and fewer nuclei

Ependymal
layer

Single, innermost layer of

cells adjacent to central
canal; cells here are
capable of mitosis

c. Mantle layer
Semilunar ganglion
Syn: Gasserian ganglion

Wide, heavily, nucleated

layer between marginal and
ependymal layers
Very large, dark mass
anterior to acoustico-facialis
ganglion

Each one of these

ganglion subdivide into 3
branches which are
actually branches of the
trigeminal nerve:
a.

Maxillary
branch
b. Opthalmic
branch
c. Mandibular
branch
Superior ganglion
*Trace its nerves
(glossopharyngeal nerves)
into the 3rd branchial arch
Somite
*Trace this caudally and
identify the dermatome,
myotome, and sclerotome
Mesencephalon

These 3 branches are

located within the region of
the 1st branchial arch, which
fade out caudally
Medial branch
Lateral branch closest to
mesencephalon
Lateral branch above the
ophthalmic branch
Poorly circumscribed
Very small, rounded
accumulation of cells
located on the caudal side
of each auditory vesicle
Compact cell masses lying
immediately lateral to the
myelencephalon
Small, rounded region lying
beneath the metencephalon
with its cavity

Mesocoel -> Cerebral

aqueduct/ Aqueduct of Sylvius
In a more posterior section,
this mesencephalon becomes
continuous with the
metencephalon

Oculomotor nerve (III)

*Trace the mesencephalon
posteriorly
Anterior cardinal vein
Syn: Precardinal vein
*Trace caudally and note

Collectively, nerve fibers

from the neural ectodermal
cells appeared as pair of
streaks from the floor of
mesencephalon.
Large vein, represented by
space, is found laterally
situated in the mesenchyme

Will innervate 4 pairs of

extrinsic eye muscles

change in position
Notochord

Closing plates

of the floor of the

myelencephalon
Elongated mass of cells
found between 2 regions of
the hindbrain or between the
spinal coed and the
hindbrain
Double-layered membranes

Pharyngeal furrowa

1st pharyngeal furrow

and pouch

2nd pharyngeal furrow

and pouch
In more posterior sections,
trace 3rd and 4th
pharyngeal furrows and
pouches, and closing
plates
Visceral arches

Mandibular arch

Pouch: appears as an
isolated structure which
soon become continuous
with the pharynx and open
outside via the 1st
pharyngeal furrow
Similar in appearance with
the 1st one
Only more posterior
(towards SC)
At this level, 1st and 2nd
pouches fade out
Found between adjacent
pharyngeal furrows
These lateral walls are
greatly thickened and filled
with mesenchymal cells
Mass of mesenchyme

FOREGUT AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES

Formed by endoderm of
pharyngeal pouches and
ectoderm of pharyngeal
furrows
Invagination of pharyngeal
pouches projected lateral
from the pharynx to
contact the adjacent region
of the skin ectoderm
Pouch: endodermal
evagination
Furrow: V-shaped
ectodermal indentation

Maxillary arch

Hyoid arch

Symphysis of the lower

jaw
Dorsal aorta

1st aortic arch

2nd, 3rd, 4th aortic arches

Ventral aorta
Syn: aortic sac, truncus
arteriosus

Descending aorta

anterior to the 1st furrow

(towards mesencephalon)
Lobe-like mass of
mesenchyme anterior to the
stomodeum
Found in the same mass of
mesenchyme where the
mesencephalon is found
Mesenchyme found
between 1st (hyomandibular)
pouch and furrow and the
2nd furrow
*Trace the mandibular arch
posteriorly and note the 2
arches fuse ventrally
Paired structures which are
cut frontally on each side of
the foregut
Appear constricted into 2
parts at the level of 1st
pharyngeal pouch
Lies within the mandibular
process
Extend from the dorsal
aortae into the 2nd, 3rd, and
4th branchial arches
respectively
At section of 1st aortic arch,
seen as separate vessels in
the mandibular arch.
Caudally, they approach one
another and becomes
continuous
Seen posterior to the 3rd

In posterior sections, ventral

ends of the 2nd and 3rd aortic
arch also unite in the ventral
aorta
Result from fusion of

Internal carotid artery

*Trace it forward around
the Rathkes pouch and
along the sides of
infundibulum

Jugular ganglion

pharyngeal pouch
Narrower vessel observed
to be located in the
mesenchyme lateral to
notochord

paired aorta
Cranial extension of dorsal
aorta

Located medial to the

anterior cardinal vein and is
seemingly broken into 2
segments by the pharyngeal
pouch
Dark, smaller mass of cells
lying posterior to the IX
nerve

Derived from the group of

neural crest cells

Thyroid rudiments

Oral plate
Syn: pharyngeal
membrane
Preoral gut

Stomodeum

Rathkes pouch

Thin membrane

Small gut pocket, which is

located just cranial to the
oral plate, which becomes
less conspicuous after the
rupture of oral plate
Slit-like space, lined by
ectoderm and lies between
2 visceral masses next to
the foregut
An irregular cavity lined with
cuboidal epithelium that
opens in more posterior
sections into the

Separates stomodeum
from foregut, which
ruptuers to form the
mouth opening

Serves as rudiment of
the anterior pituitary
gland

Arises from the floor of

pharynx as a median
diverticula/depression at
the level between the 1st
and 2nd pair of pharyngeal
pouches
Apposition of pharyngeal
endoderm and stomodeal
ectoderm

Ganglion fades our within the

4th branchial arch

Laryngotracheal groove

Trachea

stomodeum
V-shaped ventralmost part
of the posterior section of
foregut
Seen at level of 4th
pharyngeal pouch when
foregut starts to elongate
ventrally
In some sections, lies
beneath the esophagus
region

Lung buds

Pleural cavities

Esophagus

Mediastinum

Coelomic cavities lateral to

the lung buds and
continuous with the
pericardial cavities
Dorsal rounded part of the
foregut, now separated from
the laryngotracheal groove
as a result of its constriction
Both the esophagus and
lung buds are contained
within a thick mesentery
composed of splanchnic
mesoderm
Whole mesenchymal mass
where the esophagus and
lung buds are embedded
Includes the dorsal

Arises with the lung buds

as ventrocaudal
diverticulum of pharynx
Paired bilateral expansion
of the laryngotracheal
groove

Posterolaterally, each lung

bud is cut off from the
laryngotracheal groove so that
the doughnut-like structure
appears (future bronchi ->
lung bud proper)

Bulbus cordis
Syn: conus arteriosus,
bulbus arteriosus

Atrium

Sinus venosus
*Trace caudally and note
that it becomes continuous
with common cardinal vein
Ventricle

Trabeculae

mesentery (spec.
mesoesophagus in this
section) and ventral
mesentery (dorsal
mesocardium)
*As the aortic sac is traced
caudally, note the
appearance of the
endocardium and
myocardium, which will
indicate the beginning of the
bulbus cordis
Large chamber lying to the
left of and caudally to the
bulbus cordis
Usually has blood
corpuscles in it
Appearing on the dorsal part
of atrium, this chamber is
attached to the foregut by
dorsal mesocardium and is
separated from the atrium
by a slight constriction
Trace the heart region
posteriorly until left and
right regions of heart are
fused
No clear delineation among
the chambers but the
ventricle can be identified by
means of thick wall
Irregular projections of
myocardium especially
numerous in the ventricular
walls

Pericardial cavity
Common cardinal vein
Syn: duct of Cuvier

Pleuropericardial
membrane
Syn: Lateral
mesocardium
Transverse septum

Part of coelom immediately

surrounding rhe heart
Blood vessels found
continuous to and on each
side of sinus venosus

Bridge of mesenchyme
through which common
cardinal vein passes
Mass of mesenchyme

Trace it anteriorly and

observe the 2 blood
vessels that are located
within the right lateral
body wall that separates
the heart
Common cardinal vein
(lower vessel)
Posterior cardinal vein
(upper vessel)
Separates in a limited
region the pleural and
pericardial cavities
Icompletely separating
the pericardial cavity
from peritoneal cavity
Encloses the veins that
enter the heart

Peritoneal cavity

Diencephalon
Infundibulum
Optic cup
Retina

Body cavity posterior to the

transverse septum which is
continuous with both the
pleural and pericardial cavity
Laterally compressed and
has thinner walls
Appeared in sections
posterior to the oculomotor
nerves
Not connected to the
diencephalon in the first
sections encountered
Inner layer of optic cup
differentiate into:
a. Sensory retina:

Replaces mesencephalon
Long ventral outpocketing
of diencephalon
Formed by invagination of
the optic vesicles

Optic fissure
Syn: Choroid fissure
Lens vesicle

Corneal epithelium

Optic stalk

Postcardinal vein

thick layer next to

lens vesicle
b. Pigmented retina:
thin external layer
Seen as a ventral gap in the
optic cup

Formed by the ventral

invagination of optic cups
and optic stalks

Lens has become freed

from the superficial skin
ectoderm which will later
form the corneal
epithelium
Now it forms a completely
closed vesicle and begins to
differentiate into 2 regions:
a. Elongates and
centrally located
cells that will form
the lens fibers
b. Outer, narrower
layer of cells that
will become the
lens epithelium
Single layer of epithelial
tissue
Aggregations of
mesenchymal cells outside
the optic cup
Continue to trace the
section posteriorly, optic
cups become continuous
with diencephalons via optic
stalk
Blood vessel, in a more
caudal section, become
located progressively more

Covers the lens of eye

Sclera and choroids coat of
eyes

Intersegmental vein

Stomach

Dorsal mesogaster
Hepatogastric ligament
Syn: ventral mesogaster
Ductus venosus

Anterior liver diverticula

Syn: Cranial liver
diverticula
Mesoduodenum
Hepatoduodenal
ligament
Syn: Duodenohepatic
ligament
Posterior liver
diverticulum
Syn: Caudal liver
diverticulum

dorsally and eventually lies

dorsal to mesonephros
Small blood vessels that
appear as extensions of the
postcardinal vein
Trace esopahagus
posteriorly until the
diameter of the gut
becomes larger; lies
medial to pleural cavities
Mesentery dorsal to
stomach
Mesentery ventral to
stomach
Large vessel that has
become of the sinus
venosus posteriorly
Surrounded by a thick wall
of mesenchyme and
embedded in it are the liver
diverticula
Seen at about the level of
stomach lying just above the
ductus venosus
Mesentery lying dorsal to
the duodenum
Mesentery lying ventral to
the duodenum
Lie beneath the ductus
venosus and connecting
duodenum

Drain blood from the

dorsl organs like somites,
notochord, neural tube,
etc.

Pronephros
*Look for nephrostomes
(openin of pronephros to
the coelom)
Allantoic vein
Syn: umbilical vein
*Size difference between
the L and R

Small tubes found

ventrolateral to the dorsal
aorta
Found on lateral body wall

Drains blood from the

allantois

Proceed caudally until the section is cut through both the diencephalon and telencephalon
Appears in more posterior
The cavity of the
section with its lateral, ovaltelencephalon has 3
shaped evagination called
divisions:
telencephalic vesicles,
a. Median
which will become the
telocoel/
future cerebral
Ventricle III:
hemispheres, lying on
connects
either side of the median
posteriorly with
portion of the said division
the diocoele
b. Two lateral
Dorsally, the diencephalon
diocoele/
is still present overhanging
Ventricles I
the telencephalon
and II: connect
with the medial
telocoel
through the
foramen of
Monro
Lamina terminalis
Thin section of the anterior
telencephalic wall
Nasal placodes
Thickened layer from the
Syn: Olfactory placode
skin ectoderm lateral to the
telencephalon
Nasal pit
Ectodermal invagination
Openings to outside ->
Syn: Olfactory pit
on each side of
External nares
telencephalon
As you continue posteriorly, note the disappearance of the diencephalon and telencephalon; now trace the SC throughout its length at the opposite end of the section studied
Vitelline veins
2 big blood vessels at this
Telencephalon

Syn:
Omphalomesenteric
veins

level of the gut on each side

of the cranial liver
diverticulum

The liver diverticula arise as two buds on the duodenum of birds as compared to amphibians which arise as ventral evagination of the foregut
Cranial intestinal portal Encountered when
Syn: Anterior intestinal
specimen is traced more
portal
posteriorly at the level of
duodenum to a position
ventral to ductus venosus
Wing buds
Caudal to the cranial
Composed of a core of
intestinal portal, wing buds
somatic mesoderm
appear as conical bulges on
covered by the skin
each side of the body
ectoderm which is
thickened laterally as
the apical ectodermal
ridge
Intersegmented arteries Small blood vessels
continuous with the dorsal
aorta
UROGENITAL SYSTEM
Mesonephric duct
Tiny duct with thick wall on
Formed by cavitation of
Syn: Wolffian duct
each side at about the level
the mesonephric duct
of wing buds
rudiments

Mesonephric tubules
Mesonephric ridge

Subcardinal veins

Situated far laterally and

ventral to the posterior
cardinal vein
Paired S- shaped tubules
medial to each mesonephric
duct
Rounded bulge of the dorsal
body wall into the peritoneal
cavity containing the
mesonephros
Small blood vessels lying
beneath each mesonephric

Mesonephric kidneys

Leg buds
Tail bud
Allantois
*Trace posteriorly and note
conncetion between
hindgut and allantois
Chorio-allantoic
membrane

kidney
Lie at level of posterior
intestinal portal
Large mass of
undifferentiated cells
Dark mass with irregular
sacculation located to the
right of the hindgut in the
extraembryonic coelom
Lies immediately beneath
the inner shell membrane

Yolk sac

Chorion

Outer wall of each amniotic

fold

Amnion

Inner wall of each amniotic

fold

Extraembryonic coelom
Syn: Exocoel
Hindgut
Lateral body fold

Remnants of the primitive

streak and knot
Store nitrogenous waste
product and serves as
embryonic respiratory
organs for birds
For respiration and
absorption of calcium for
the shell
Endodermal cells of yolk
sac digest the yolk which
are transported to the
deving embryo via
vitelline veins

Formed from
splanchnopleure

Formed from the

splanchnopleure that
overgrows the yolk
Consists of ectoderm
on the outside with an
adjacent layer of
mesoderm inside to
form the chorion
Consist of somatic
mesoderm on the
outside ad ectoderm on
the inside to form the
amnion

Somatic mesoderm-lined
cavity within each amniotic
fold which is continuous with
th intraembryonic coelom
Endoderm-lined cavity;
posterior region of gut
Together with the head
and tail folds to which it
connects, forms the
boundary between the

embryonic and
extraembryonic regions
Cloaca

Cloacal membrane
Syn: Anal plate
Caudal intestinal portal
Syn: Posterior intestinal
portal

Posterior portion of hindgut

which continuous ventrally
with the allantois and
mesonephric ducts In more
posterior sections
Double-layered membrane
where the ventralendoderm
of the cloaca fuses with
ventral skin ectoderm
Tracing the section
anteriorly, note the
disappearance of the floor of
hindgut
Thus, an opening is formed
from the hindgut into the
subgerminal cavity via
caudal intestinal portal

Upon rupture, it will

establish the anal
opening