What is the Difference Between Trophoblast and Inner Cell Mass?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The trophoblast and inner cell mass (ICM) are two distinct cell layers that form in the early development of an embryo. They have different functions and cellular compositions:
- Trophoblast: This is the outer cell layer of the blastocyst, which is the early stages of embryonic development before implantation into the endometrium of the uterus. The trophoblast does not contribute to the formation of the embryo but develops into a large part of the placenta, playing a crucial role in the correct function of the placenta.
- Inner Cell Mass (ICM): This is the cluster of cells inside the blastocyst that will eventually give rise to the definitive embryo, including embryonic stem cells capable of forming all cell types in the body. The ICM forms in the earliest stages of embryonic development and is entirely surrounded by the single layer of trophoblast cells of the trophectoderm. As the embryo develops, the ICM segregates into a bilaminar embryonic disc, which consists of two distinct lineages: the external (dorsal) epiblast and the internal (ventral) hypoblast. The next developmental stage is gastrulation, in which waves of migrating cells convert the ICM into a trilaminar embryonic disc, comprised of three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm).
In summary, the key difference between trophoblast and inner cell mass is that trophoblast is the outer cell layer that forms the placenta, while the inner cell mass forms the embryo.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Trophoblast and Inner Cell Mass? Comparative Table: Trophoblast vs Inner Cell Mass
Comparative Table: Trophoblast vs Inner Cell Mass
Here is a table comparing the differences between trophoblast and inner cell mass:
Feature | Trophoblast | Inner Cell Mass |
---|---|---|
Definition | Trophoblast refers to the outer layer of cells of a blastocyst. | Inner cell mass refers to the embryonic pole of the blastocyst, consisting of embryonic stem cells that form the entire embryo. |
Location | Trophoblast is the outer layer of the blastocyst. | Inner cell mass is the innermost cells of the blastocyst. |
Development | Trophoblast does not contribute to the formation of the embryo. It develops into a large part of the placenta and is crucial for its correct function. | Inner cell mass forms the entire embryo, consisting of embryonic stem cells which are capable of forming all cell types in the body. |
Structure | Trophoblast is a tight, adherent layer of cells forming the outer layer of the blastocyst. | Inner cell mass is the rounded cells inside the trophoblast layer. |
Function | Trophoblast combines with the maternal endometrium to form the placenta in eutherian mammals. | Inner cell mass gives rise to all later structures of the embryo. |
Both trophoblast and inner cell mass are types of cells in the blastocyst that develop prior to implantation.
Read more:
- Epiblast vs Hypoblast
- Blastocyst vs Embryo
- Fetal vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Morula vs Blastula
- Protoplast vs Protoplasm
- Hematopoiesis vs Hemocytoblast
- Holoblastic vs Meroblastic Cleavage
- Mesenchymal vs Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells
- Chorion vs Placenta
- Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Adult vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Embryo vs Zygote
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Epithelial vs Mesenchymal Cells
- IPS Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Embryo Sac vs Endosperm
- Progenitor Cells vs Stem Cells
- Stem Cells vs Normal Cells