A placode is an area of thickening in the embryonic epithelial layer where some organ or structure later develops. The term usually refers to cranial placodes, peripheral nervous system structures associated with the special senses and cranial ganglia. Placodes also develop in the formation of other structures, such as teeth and feathers. Cranial placodes The placodes associated with the special senses are: The Adenohypophyseal placode The otic placode forms the otic pit and the otic vesicle… (More on Placode)