Embryology L7: Gut Tube and Body Cavities

A pair of thin membranes that develop from the folds in the embryo's body wall; these membranes grow inward and fuse with the mesentery of the esophagus, forming the crucial structures of the diaphragm.

The central, tendon-like part of the diaphragm; it's formed by the fusion of the pleuroperitoneal membranes.

The two muscular pillars that extend from the diaphragm to the lumbar vertebrae; they contribute to the diaphragm's shape and function.

The development of the diaphragm begins from cervical segments 3-5 (C3-C5), where the initial muscle cells originate.

These nerves, derived from the cervical spinal cord (C3-C5), control the diaphragm's movement and sensation.

The process by which the neural plate folds into a tube to form the brain and spinal cord.

A tube-like structure formed from the endoderm during embryonic development, giving rise to the digestive system.

The middle layer of the trilaminar embryonic disc, which forms the muscles, bones, and circulatory system.

The outer layer of the trilaminar embryonic disc, which forms the skin, nervous system, and sensory organs.

The inner layer of the trilaminar embryonic disc, which forms the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems.

The space between the visceral and parietal layers of lateral plate mesoderm, which eventually becomes the body cavities.

The layer of mesoderm adjacent to the surface ectoderm, contributes to the formation of the body wall.

The layer of mesoderm adjacent to the endoderm, forms a covering around the gut tube.

A thick plate of mesodermal tissue that separates the thoracic cavity from the yolk sac.

Openings on each side of the foregut that connect the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Extensions of the pleuropericardial folds containing common cardinal veins and phrenic nerves.

The process of the pleuropericardial membranes fusing with the root of the lungs, separating the thoracic cavity into pericardial and pleural cavities.

The fibrous sac that encloses the heart, formed from the pleuropericardial membranes.

Crescent-shaped folds that project into the pericardioperitoneal canals, partially closing the opening.

The process of the pleuroperitoneal folds closing the opening between the pleural and peritoneal cavities.

The dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

The process of the embryo's sides growing ventrally, forming folds that eventually fuse to create a closed ventral body wall.

The folds in the embryo's sides consist of parietal mesoderm, overlying ectoderm, and migrating cells from somites.

The endoderm layer folds ventrally and closes, creating the gut tube which will become the digestive system.

The closure of the ventral body wall is complete except at the site of the future umbilical cord.

The gut tube also remains incompletely closed, with a connection to the yolk sac called the vitelline (yolk sac) duct.

The parietal layer of lateral plate mesoderm lining the embryonic cavity gives rise to the parietal layer of the serous membranes.

The visceral layer of lateral plate mesoderm forms the visceral layer of the serous membranes covering the organs.

The dorsal mesentery suspends the gut tube from the posterior body wall into the peritoneal cavity. It's a double layer of peritoneum providing pathways for blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.