From which embryonic germ layer do the kidneys develop?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option B
- The kidneys develop from the mesoderm, which is one of the three primary embryonic germ layers.
- Specifically, the kidneys arise from the intermediate mesoderm, a region located between the paraxial and lateral plate mesoderm.
- This layer gives rise to the urogenital system, including both the kidneys and the reproductive organs.
- The endoderm primarily forms the lining of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, so it is not involved in kidney development.
- The ectoderm forms structures such as the skin and nervous system, but it does not contribute to the formation of the kidneys.
- Neural crest cells are a special group of cells derived from the ectoderm and contribute to diverse structures, including parts of the peripheral nervous system and facial cartilage, but not the kidneys.
Thus, the correct answer is mesoderm, as the kidneys develop from the intermediate mesoderm during embryogenesis.
Reference: Moore, K.L., Persaud, T.V.N., & Torchia, M.G., The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 11th Edition, Chapter 15 - The Urinary System