Embryonic folding

17 important questions on Embryonic folding

When does formation of the neural plate begin and end?

Begins in Week 3 and is finishes during Week 4.

What role does the notochord play in neural plate formation?

The notochord induces thickening of the overlying ectoderm, triggering the formation of the neural plate.

How does the neural plate expand?

It expands as the notochord develops and regresses
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What is “ectodermal restriction”?

It’s when notochord signaling limits ectodermal potential, forcing the ectoderm to differentiate only into neural tissue. The ectoderm with the limited capacity of differentiation is now called a neuroecotderm.

What structures form as the neural plate develops?

The neural groove forms along the midline and neural folds appear on either side

What causes cranio-caudal folding?

Rapid growth of the neural plate and neural tube causes the embryo to fold longitudinally.

What structures move and how during the head fold?

  • The forebrain expands cranially.
  • The neural plate rolls 180°
  • The primordial heart and oropharyngeal membrane shift ventrally
  • The endoderm of the yolk sac becomes incorporated into the foregut.
Overall, head fold brings the future mouth and heart to their correct ventral positions.

What structures move and how during the tail fold?


  • The neural tube lengthens at the caudal end
  • The caudal eminence projects over the cloacal membrane.
  • 180° fold occurs, moving the connecting stalk ventrally (to the front).
  • The endoderm is folded into the hindgut.
Overall, the future anal region and connecting stalk are now ventral.

What’s the overall goal of cranio-caudal folding?

To position embryonic structures correctly for later organ formation

What drives lateral folding?

Rapid expansion of the neural plate and somites, causing the sides of the embryo to fold ventrally and toward the midline.

What structures move and how during lateral folding?

  • The ventrolateral body walls fold inward (ventrally) and meet at the midline
  • The endoderm becomes enclosed, forming the midgut.
  • The lateral mesoderm splits into somatic (outer) and splanchnic (inner) layers, creating the intraembryonic coelom (body cavity).
  • Formation of cylindrical embryo
Overall, the embryo becomes a cylindrical structure with "tube within a tube" body plan. (an internal gut tube surrounded by a tube of ectodermal and mesodermal walls)

How does the relationship between the midgut and the yolk sac change throughout development?

From early development to week 6, the midgut is in broad contact with the yolk sac through an opening that narrows to a vitelline duct. However, after week 6 as the gut fully encloses and the placenta takes over supplying nutrients, the midgut and yolk sac are no longer in contact and vitelline duct regresses

What are anterior abdominal wall defects?

Defects in closure of the abdominal wall during folding

What are the two types of anterior abdominal wall defects?

1. Omphalocele - bowel herniates/pushes into the umbilical cord but is covered by a membranous sac.
2. Gastroschisis - bowel protrudes on the surface of the abdomen, usually right of the umbilicus.

What causes anterior thoracic wall defects?

Failure of proper midline folding in the thoracic region during embryonic development

What is ectopia cordis?

An anterior thoracic wall defect where the heart protrudes outside the thoracic cavity

What is the Pentalogy of Cantrell?

A very rare combination of midline defects
  • 1. Midline abdominal wall defect
  • 2. Anterior diaphragmatic hernia
  • 3. Cleft sternum
  • 4. Pericardial defects
  • 5. Intracardiac defects
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