Fetal Devlopment

Fetal Development
“Embryology”
Embryology
• Embryology: the study of the origin and
development of an organism.
Embryology develops in three stages
1. Zygote period: Fertilization
2. Embryonic period: First 8 weeks after conception: All
major organs formed.
3. Fetal period: from 9 week until birth: Organs grow
larger and become more complex.
Fetal Development
During each normal menstrual cycle, one
egg (ovum) is usually released from one
of the ovaries, about 14 days before the
next menstrual period.
Ovulation. Release of the egg that swept
into the funnel-shaped end of one of
the fallopian tubes.
Fertilization
Fertilization (conception):conception occurs when a
sperm cell penetrates and fertilizes an egg cell in the
fallopian tube to form a new human life (zygote)
• Successful conception depends on:
– ovaries releasing one healthy egg cell
– egg cell migrates most of the way down the fallopian
tube
– One sperm must penetrate the ovum to form a
zygote
SPERM + EGG(OOCYTE) = ZYGOTE
The fertilization process takes about 24 hours.
Sperm life = 48 hours
300 million sperm enter the vagina... only 1%, 3 million, enter the
uterus
It takes about 10 hours to navigate the female productive track,
moving up the vaginal canal, through the cervix, and into the
fallopian tube where fertilization begins
The next step is the penetration of the zona pellucida, a tough
membrane surrounding the oocyte takes about 20 minutes.
Human somatic cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of
46. 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. xx
xy
Autosomes contain genetic information for most human
characteristics.
Cleavage( Cell Division)
The zygote now begins to cleave, with each division

occurring into two cells called Blastomeres
The zygote's first cell division begins a series of
divisions, with each division occurring
approximately every twenty hours
When cell division about sixteen cells, the zygote
becomes a Morula
It leaves the fallopian tube and enters the uterine
cavity three to four days after fertilization
Morula: the solid cluster of 12-16 blastomeres at
about 72 hours: Day 4: morula enters the
uterus, taking up fluid becoming Blastocyst
Blastocyst formation 4 days post-ovulation
Two cell types are forming:
Embryoblast (inner cell mass on the inside of the
blastocele)
Trophoblast (the cells on the outside of the blastocele)
layer of cells surrounding the cavity which helps
form the placenta Floats for about 3 days.
• The Blastocyst is differentiated into three layers:16 days
post-ovulation
1. Endoderm
2. Mesoderm
3. Ectoderm
1. Endoderm: forms the lining of lungs, tongue,
tonsils, urethra and associated glands, bladder,
and digestive tract.
2. Mesoderm: forms the muscles, bones,
lymphatic tissue, spleen, blood cells, heart, lungs,
and reproductive and excretory systems.
3. Ectoderm: forms the skin, nails, hair, lens of
eye, the lining of the internal and external ear,
nose, sinuses, mouth, anus, tooth enamel,
pituitary gland, mammary glands, and all parts
of the nervous system
Implantation
The trophoblast cells secretes an enzyme which penetrate the
epithelial uterine lining and creates an implantation site for the
Blastocyst. 5 - 6 days post-ovulation
• The embryonic stage begins with implantation, and the fully
implanted Blastocyst is referred to as the embryo.
ovary continues producing progesterone
trophoblast cells continue releasing human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG)
Endometrial glands in the uterus enlarge in response to the
blastocyst and the implantation site becomes swollen with new
capillaries. Circulation begins, a process needed for the
continuation of pregnancy.
13 days post-ovulation
The formation of blood and blood vessels of the embryo begins
The yolk sac begins to produce hematopoietic or non-
nucleated blood cells.
17-19 days post-ovulation
The blood cells of the embryo are already developed
19 - 21 days post-ovulation
Endocardial (muscle) cells begin to fuse and form into the early
embryo's two heart tubes.
Cardiac muscle contraction begins
Eye & ear cells are present
At this stage, the neural tube determines the form of the
embryo
The brain and spinal cord together are the largest and
most compact tissue of the embryo.
brain regulates the heart, breathing and muscle
movements
The inner cell mass divides, rapidly forming a
two-layered disc
The top layer of cells...
will become the embryo and amniotic cavity
the lower cells will become the yolk sac.
• 2 fluid filled sacs
1. Amniotic sac
2. Yolk sac
AMNIOTIC FLUID
• Clear, yellowish fluid surrounding the
developing fetus.
• Average amount 1000 ml.
• Having < 300ml – Oligohydramnios,
associated with fetal renal abnormalities.
• Having > 2 L – Hydramnios, associated
with GI and other malformations.
AMNIOTIC FLUID
• Protects Fetus
• Controls Temperature
• Supports Symmetrical Growth
• Prevents Adherence to amnion
• Allows Movement
• Source of oral fluid
PLACENTA
• Filter system– allows smaller particles
through and holds back larger molecules.
Passage of materials in either direction is
effected by:
– Diffusion: gases, water, electrolytes
– Facilitated transfer: glucose, amino acids,
minerals.
PLACENTA
The structure of the placenta is disc-shaped with
both maternal and fetal surfaces.
• At term the placenta weighs approximately
500g to 600g and has a diameter of 15cm to
20cm .
• The fetal surface is made up of cotyledons, which
are further divided into lobules. The outer
appearance is white and shiny in nature due to
the chorionic plate and the amnion covering.
• The maternal surface is dark red in color and is
made up of 15 to 20 cotyledons
UMBILICAL CORD
Connecting link between fetus and placenta.
• Transports oxygen and nutrients to fetus from the
placenta and returns waste products from the fetus to
the placenta.
• Contains: 2 arteries and 1 vein supported by mucous
material (Wharton's jelly) to prevent kinking and
knotting.
• Contains NO pain receptors.
• The cord is twisted spirally in order to protect the
vessels and it is approximately 40cm to 50cm in
length
PLACENTA
Produce protein hormones:
1. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)- 8-
10 days past conception, is basis for
pregnancy test
2. Progesterone
3. Estrogen
4. Human Placental Lactogen
PLACENTA
Factors Affecting Fetus Development
• Teratogenica: drug or other substance capable of

interfering with the development of a fetus, causing
birth defects.
• Environmental exposures that can adversely affect the
developing fetus
– Maternal Conditions
• Alcoholism, Diabetes, Endocrinopathies, Smoking,
Nutritional problems
– Infections Agents
• Rubella, Toxoplasmosis, Syphillis, Herpes Simplex
– Mechanical Problems
• Amniotic band constrictions, Umbilical Cord
constraint
- Chemicals, drugs, radiation, hyperthermia
First Month
• By the end of the first
month, the embryo is
about 1/10 of an inch
long. The heart
beating.
First Month
Two Months
• The embryo is about 1
inch long and distinct,
slightly webbed
fingers. Veins are
clearly visible. The
heart has divided into
right and left
chambers.
Two Months
Three Months
• By now the fetus is 2 1/2
to 3 inches long and is
fully formed. swallowing
and kicking. All organs
and muscles have formed
and are beginning to
function.
4 months
Four Months
• baby is covered with a
layer of thick, downy
hair called lanugo.
heartbeat can be
heard clearly. This is
when you may feel
your baby's first kick.
Five Months
• A protective coating
called vernix caseosa
begins to form on baby's
skin. By the end of this
month, baby will be
nearly 8 inches long and
weigh almost a pound.
Six Months
• Eyebrows and eyelids
are visible. baby's
lungs are filled with
amniotic fluid, and
started breathing
motions. can hear talk
or sing.
6 Months
Seven Months
• By the end of the
seventh month, baby
weighs about 3 1/2
pounds and is about
12 inches long. body
is well-formed.
Fingernails cover his
fingertips
Eight Months
• baby is gaining about
half a pound per
week, and layers of
fat, has probably
turned head-down in
preparation for birth.
He weighs between 4
and 6 pounds.
Nine Months
• baby is 6 to 9 pounds
and measures
between 19 and 22
inches. As he becomes
more crowded, move
around less.

Fetal Devlopment

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Fetal Development

The zygote now begins to cleave, with each division

• Teratogenica: drug or other substance capable of

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