Archenteron 1198851 194622437 2008-02-28T09:09:59Z Paddy Simcox 6460516 Infobox is for another structure (related, but still confusing). Removing until somebody replaces it correctly The '''archenteron''' is known as the primitive gut that forms during [[gastrulation]] in the developing [[blastula]]. It develops into the digestive tract of an animal. ==Formation of the Archenteron== <small>[See [[Gastrulation]]]</small> As [[mesenchyme]] cells detach from the [[vegetal pole]] in the blastula and enter the fluid filled cavity in the center (the [[blastocoel]]), the remaining cells at the vegetal pole flatten to form a [[vegetal plate]]. This buckles inwards towards the blastocoel in a process called [[invagination]]. The cells continue to be rearranged until the shallow dip formed by invagination transforms into a deeper, narrower pouch formed by the [[gastrula]]'s [[endoderm]]. The open end of the archenteron is called the [[blastopore]]. The [[filopodia]]--thin fibers formed by the mesenchyme cells--found in a late gastrula contract to drag the tip of the archeteron across the blastocoel. The endoderm of the archenteron will fuse with the [[ectoderm]] of the blastocoel wall. At this point gastrulation is complete, and the gastrula has a functional digestive tube. The indentation that is actually formed is called the ''[[blastopore]] lip'' in [[amphibian]]s and [[fish]], and the ''primitive streak'' in [[bird]]s and [[mammal]]s. Each is controlled by the dorsal blastopore, and primitive node, respectively. ==External links== * [http://chsweb.lr.k12.nj.us/mstanley/outlines/animals/antax/image51.gif Diagram] {{developmental-biology-stub}} {{Embryology}} [[Category:Developmental biology]] [[fr:ArchentĂ©ron]] [[it:Archenteron]] [[pt:ArquĂȘntero]]