Human Embryology

Tissues and Histology

Let us focus for a moment at the intersection of tissue level organization and organogenesis in embryonic development, the germ layers, an important MCAT topic. The germ layers are pronounced collections of cells that become distinguished following gastrulation during animal embryogenesis. In vertebrates, there are three germ layers, the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis, nervous system, and sense organs. The mesoderm gives rise to connective tissue portion of organs, skeleton, muscles, the circulatory system, the immune system, kidneys, and gonads. The endoderm gives rise to the epithelial portion of organs and the gut lining.