Surface Ectoderm

The surface ectoderm (or external ectoderm) forms the following structures:

  • Skin (only epidermis; dermis is derived from mesoderm) (along with glands, hair, and nails)
  • Epithelium of the mouth and nasal cavity salivary glands, and glands of mouth and nasal cavity
  • Tooth enamel (as a side note, dentin and dental pulp are formed from ectomesenchyme which is derived from ectoderm (specifically neural crest cells and travels with mesenchmyal cells)
  • Epithelium of anterior pituitary
  • Lens, cornea, lacrimal gland, tarsal glands and the conjunctiva of the eye
  • Apical ectodermal ridge inducing development of the limb buds of the embryo.
  • Sensory receptors in epidermis

Famous quotes containing the word surface:

    “Voluptuaries, consumed by their senses, always begin by flinging themselves with a great display of frenzy into an abyss. But they survive, they come to the surface again. And they develop a routine of the abyss: “It’s four o’clock ... At five I have my abyss.””
    —Colette [Sidonie Gabrielle Colette] (1873–1954)