Embryology 5 Flashcards
embryonic vs fetal development?
-embryonic= 1-8 week s fetal= 8 weeks and beyond
what happens by end of the embryonic period?
- major organ systems have begun to develop
- Initially head growth exceeds that of other regions
- Rostral (cranial/anterior) parts develop sooner/earlier than caudal
What does “wave of development” mean?
-that the rostral (cranial/anterior) parts develop sooner than the caudal parts
When do women realize they are pregnant? why is this potentially problematic?
-know ~5-6 weeks pregnant
1-2 weeksafter missed period
-embryonic period is very delicate, most crucial time for development (first 6 weeks) women can not know & be harming the baby
Pregnancy diagnostic tests?
1) Amniocentesis
2) Chorionic villi sampling
3) Ultrasonography
4) Umbilical cord blood sample
5) Computed tomography & MRI
6) Fetal monitoring
Amniocentesis
- initially risky could damage embryo , process now due to ultrasound guided probe
- remove sample of amniotic fluid; test for specific mutations, risk factors, enzymes(see if have metabolic defects)
ultrasound
- used to ID gender & fetal progression
- have made incredible advances (HD 3D ultrasounds)
- no deleterious effect on human embryos yet; but research is unclear
ultrasound & deleterious effects
- ultrasound radiations dosages similar to what humans get have shown cellular effects in rats
- stimulation increases bone tissue proliferation, decreases normal cell proliferation
difficulties in estimating fetal age?
- sperm can last in the uterus for 5-6 days, so fertilization day could be off
- a lot of times base on last menstrual cycle, which add 1-2 weeks until ovulation& fertilization
What happens in gestation?
-divided into three 3-month periods (trimesters)
What happens in the fetal period?
- increases in length & weight
- progressive nerve & muscle wiring create vital functions required immediately after birth
- Lungs mature in last trimester
when did growth and maturation of organs & structures developed?
the embryonic period
3 ways to estimate how long you’ve been pregnant?
1) Lab/Embryologists count from fertilization: 38 weeks:~266 days or 38 weeks since the time of conception (8 ¾ calendar)
2) MDs count from last menstrual period: 40 weeks. ~280 days, 40 weeks since last normal menstrual period (9 ¼ calendar)
3) Estimating Fetal Age Based on Weight and Crown-rump Length
why call estimation and not calculate ?
-hard to estimate, is not a guarantee a lot of factors could effect the accuracy
Estimating Fetal Age Based on Weight and Crown-rump Length (CRL)?
size of baby from top of head to bottom of butt
-easier than basing it on weight since hard to weight a fetus
average at term birth size (CRL and weight)?
- weight 3400 grams (7.5 lb)
- crown-to-rump length 360 mm (~14 in)
fetal period rate of growth in embryonic vs fetal period ?
- in the embryonic development, head grew disproportionately fast
- in fetal period; body grows disproportionally fast compared to head cuz is trying to catch up to it
other ways to determine fetal age?
1) Biparietal diameter
2) Head circumference
3) Abdominal circumference
4) Femur length
5) Foot Length
not infallible…our estimates kinda suck ass
why weight not best way to determine the fetal age?
- because there a lot of variation due to maternal factors
- can often lead to overestimating size of baby
suspected macrosomia?
-when doctors conclude from various tests that the baby is too large for the mama
-often misdiagnosed (4 in 5)
which is bad cuz leads to unnecessary intervention (induction, epidural, and C-section)
when estimating fetal age with crown-rump length? How gather info?
-when date of conception is in doubt
-method of choice for late 1st trimester
-do with ultrasound
-
How analyze crown-rump length?
- based on ethnicity
- correlates length w/ specificed age/week (either after fertilzition or last menstrual period) on a chart