Embryology Flashcards
Events of first week of pregnancy
Ovulation, fertilisation, implantation
When and where does fertilisation occur?
12-24hrs after ovulation in the fallopian tube.
Name of a fertilised ovum
Zygote
When does mitotic cell division of a zygote occur to form a morula?
Day 2-3
What is a morula?
A solid mass of 16 cells that forms around day 4-6
How and when does the blastocyst form?
Fluid accumulates in the morula and it rearranges into 2 cell populations to form a blastocyst around day 6-10
What is a blastocyst?
A hollow ball of cells consisting of an inner cell mass (embryoblast) and trophoblast (outer cell mass).
What does the inner cell mass (embryoblast) of the blastocyst form?
The embryo itself
What is the name of the outer cell mass in a blastocyst?
Trophoblast
Function of trophoblast
contacts with the endometrium to facilitate implantation and formation of the placenta.
When does implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium occur?
day 6
2 layers that the trophoblasts differentiate into around day 8
syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast
Function of syncytiotrophoblast
layer of trophoblast that assists with embedding of blastocyst into endometrium, secrete hCG to prevent menstruation, and contribute to vascular supply.
Function of cytotrophoblast
become outlining cells of embryo
What is the bilaminar embryo?
A two-layered structure formed when the embryoblast (inner cell mass) divides into the hypoblast and epiblast - around day 10-12.
When does the bilaminar embryo form?
Day 10-12
2 layers of the bilaminar embryo
Hypoblast and epiblast
What structure in the bilaminar embryo does the epiblast form?
Forms the amniotic cavity containing amniotic fluid
Which cell types does the epiblast form?
Embryonic ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm (mesendoderm)
Function of hypoblast layer in the bilaminar embryo
Forms the yolk sac and is displaced to form the endoderm and mesoderm.
Function of yolk sac
provides nutrients and gas exchange during weeks 2-3 until placenta develops in week 4
Difference between identical and fraternal twins
Identical twins are formed by one single fertilisation and so share the same genetic code whereas fraternal twins are formed by 2 fertilisations so have different genetic codes. Identical twins share one placenta while fraternal twins have 2 separate placenta.
Does the inner cell mass divide to produce identical or fraternal twins?
Identical
What happens during gastrulation (week 3)?
The embryo develops an axis (cranial/caudal) and the 3 germ cell layers