An embryonic structure that is derived from the inner cell mass and lies above the hypoblast and gives rise to the three primary germ layers.
Comment:
The epiblast cells (appearing on day 8 of human embryonic development) make up a columnar epithelium with dense microvilli on the apical surface. During gastrulation, the epiblast cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and delaminate to become the loose mesenchyme of the primitive streak. The epiblast is present in postimplantation mouse embryos between E5.5-E7.5.