*When the embryo is in it's blastula stage it has two cell layers; the epiblast and hypoblast.
+
When the embryo is in it's blastula stage it has two cell layers; the epiblast and hypoblast. The '''epiblast''' is columnar, whilst the '''hypoblast''' is cuboidal. Each is a single cell thick. The epiblast gives rise to all three cell layers; the hypoblast makes no contribution. The endoderm and mesoderm develop by proliferation and migration of cells of the epiblast, what remains of the epiblast forms the ectoderm. The epiblast is a circular plate of cells. In gastrulation, cells ingress ventrally from the epiblast to form the three germ layers. Gastrulation occurs at three embryonic sites:
−
**The epiblast is columnar whilst the hypoblast is cuboidal - each is a single cell thick.
+
−
*'''The epiblast gives rise to all three cell layers; the hypoblast makes no contribution'''.
+
1.'''Primitive Streak'''
−
*The endoderm and mesoderm develop by proliferation and migration of cells of the epiblast.
+
−
**What remains of the epiblast forms the ectoderm.
+
2.'''Node'''
−
*The epiblast is a circular plate of cells. In gastrulation, cells ingress ventrally from the epiblast to form the three germ layers.