| optic stalk | The constricted proximal portion of the optic vesicle in the embryo; it develops into the optic nerve. Pineal stalk, the attachment of the pineal body to the roof of the third ventricle; it contains the pineal recess of the third ventricle. Pituitary stalk, a process comprising the tuberal part investing the infundibular stem that attaches the hypophysis to the tuber cinereum at the base of the brain. Yolk stalk, the narrowed connection between the intraembryonic gut and the yolk sac; its walls are splanchnopleure. Synonym: umbilical duct, vitelline duct, vitellointestinal duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| yolk stalk | A narrow tube present in the early embryo that connects the midgut of the embryo (through the umbilical opening) to the yolk sac outside the embryo. Later in development, the yolk stalk is usually obliterated but a remnants of it may persist, most commonly as a finger-like protrusion from the small intestine known as meckel's diverticulum. Found in 2-4% of people, meckel's diverticulum may become inflamed much like the appendix and require surgical removal. The yolk stalk is also called the umbilical duct, vitelline duct, or oomphalomesenteric duct. (12 Dec 1998) |