Fate of germinal layers : The embryo after gastrulation develops the three germ layers, viz., ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Later a process of histogenesis starts which leads to the development of different tissues and organs.

(i) Fate of ectoderm : Following tissues, structures and organs develop from the ectoderm : Epidermis of the skin, epidermal derivatives such as

1. hair and nails 

2. sweat glands 

3. conjunctiva 

4. cornea 

5. lens 

6. retina

7. internal and external ear 

8. enamel of teeth 

9. nasal cavity

10. adrenal medulla 

11. stomodaeum and proctodaeum 

12. neurohypophysis and 

13. entire nervous system.

(ii) Fate of mesoderm : The mesoderm forms the following derivatives: 

1. All types of muscles 

2. connective tissue 

3. dermis of skin 

4. adrenal cortex 

5. kidney 

6. circulatory system 

7. heart 

8. blood vessels

9. blood 

10. lymphatic vessels 

11. middle ear and 

12. dentine of teeth

(iii) Fate of endoderm : The following organs develop from the endoderm:

1. Epithelium of gut from pharynx to colon 

2. glands of stomach and intestine 

3. tongue and tonsils 

4. lungs, trachea, bronchi, larynx, etc. 

5. urinary bladder, vestibule and vagina 

6. liver and pancreas 

7. adenohypophysis 

8. thymus, thyroid and parathyroid 

9. eustachian tube 

10. epithelium of urethra and associated glands