Anatomy · Embryology and Genetics

Gastrulation and formation of germ layers

6 min read

  • Gastrulation: process converting the bilaminar into the trilaminar embryonic disc, forming the three primary germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.
  • All body tissues and organs arise from one or more of these three germ layers.

Formation of the Trilaminar Embryonic Disc

Important: The figure uses older ectoderm/endoderm terminology for the bilaminar layers. Interpret these layers as epiblast and hypoblast; definitive ectoderm and endoderm form during gastrulation.

Gastrulation