Embryology Flashcards

1
Q

How long does the embryonic period last?

A

3-8 weeks

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2
Q

Define proliferation

A

The rapid growth and production of cells

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3
Q

Define differentiation

A

The process of developing and changing to become specialised

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4
Q

Define specialisation

A

The adaptation of a cell to carry out a particular function

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5
Q

Define apoptosis

A

Cell death as a normal and controlled process of cell growth and development

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6
Q

Define morphogenesis

A

The biological process that causes a cell to develop its shape

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7
Q

Name 2 conditions that arise from ineffective proliferation/ apoptosis

A

Excessive proliferation = Polydactyly

Failed apoptosis = Syndactyly

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8
Q

Describe the process of fertilisation

A

Sperm cell –> Corona radiata of egg –> Acrosome releases enzymes –> Sperm cell penetrates zona pellucida –> Sperm cell’s membrane fuses with egg cell’s membrane

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9
Q

Outline what occurs just after fertilisation takes place

A
  • Oocyte completes meiosis II
  • Cumulus oophorus cells surround the oocyte
  • Theca cells form the corpus luteum
  • Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which prepares and sustains the uterine wall for implantation
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10
Q

Describe the fertilised ovum

A
  • 12-24 hours after fertilisation
  • Sperm must get through corona radiate and zona pellucida
  • Zona becomes specialised once a sperm has traversed it, blocking others from entering
  • Oocyte completes meiosis II and 2 pronuclei form
  • Male and female pronuclei fuse to form zygote (2n)
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11
Q

What are the stages of embryonic development?

A
  1. Fertilised ovum
  2. Cleavage (30 hrs - day 3, mitosis increases cell number)
  3. Morula (day 3-4, solid ball of cells)
  4. Blastocyst (day 5, trophoblast, blastocoel and inner cell mass form)
  5. Implantation (blastocystic stage, day 7-8, syncytiotrophoblast secretes enzymes that allow implantation)
  6. Gastrulation (end of week 2, primary germ layers form)
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12
Q

What is a blastocoel?

A

Cavity in blastocyst

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13
Q

When are the discs formed?

A

Week 2 = Bilaminar disc

Week 3 = Trilaminar disc

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14
Q

How does the bilaminar disc form?

A

Differentiation of the embryoblast (inner cell mass)

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15
Q

What are the 2 parts of the bilaminar disc?

A

Epiblast

Hypoblast

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16
Q

Describe the formation of the epiblast

A
  • Cells cavitate to form the amnion
  • Cells from the epiblast will also eventually form the body of the embryo
  • Located above amniotic cavity
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17
Q

Describe the formation of the hypoblast

A
  • Future cranial region
  • Cells of hypoblast migrate along inner surface of cytotrophoblast and form primary yolk sac
  • Primary yolk sac reduces in size and becomes secondary yolk sac
  • Transfers nutrients between foetus and mother
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18
Q

What is the yolk sac?

A

Origin of blood cells and vessels

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19
Q

What are the 2 types of trophoblast?

A
  1. Cytotrophoblast

2. Syncytiotrophoblast

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20
Q

Describe the cytotrophoblast

A
  • Inner
  • Divides mitotically into syncytiotrophoblast to form primary chorionic villi
  • Cells from these villi can be removed for chorionic villus sampling
  • Have membranes
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21
Q

Describe the syncytiotrophoblast

A
  • Outer
  • Acellular (no membranes or mitosis)
  • Produces hCG
  • Invades endometrium
  • As it comes in contact with blood vessels, it forms lacunae which fuse to form lacunar networks
  • Blood flows in and out of these networks, exchanging nutrients and waste products with the foetus
22
Q

What are lacunae?

A

Spaces filled with maternal blood

23
Q

What is gastrulation?

A

A phase in the early stages of embryonic development in which the single-layered blastula becomes a multi-layered gastrula

24
Q

What is a primitive streak?

A
  • Raised groove on dorsal surface

- Region of cell migration from the epiblast layer, forming 2 germ cell layers (endoderm and mesoderm)

25
Q

What causes the formation of the trilaminar disc?

A

Cell migration

26
Q

What are the 2 cavities in the gastrula?

A
  1. Yolk sac

2. Amniotic cavity

27
Q

What is the notochord?

A
  • A flexible rod similar to cartilage

- Defining structure in all chordate embryos

28
Q

Describe neurulation

A
  • Neural tube (beginning of CNS) and neural crest (beginning of PNS) development
  • Neural tube closure which begins at week 3 and ends in week 4
  • Folic acid can be used as ‘therapy’ to prevent occurrence of neural tube defects
29
Q

Name 3 other developments that occur during gastrulation

A
  • Primordial mouth and anus
  • Primordial cardiovascular system
  • Secondary and tertiary chorionic villi
30
Q

What are the 3 layers of the trilaminar disc?

A
  1. Ectoderm
  2. Mesoderm
  3. Endoderm
31
Q

What structures are derived from the ectoderm?

A
  • Epidermis; hair and nail follicles; sweat glands
  • NS; pituitary gland; adrenal medulla
  • Lens + cornea; internal ear
  • Mucosa of oral + nasal cavities; salivary glands
32
Q

What structures are derived from the mesoderm?

A
  • Dermis; bone and cartilage
  • Skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle
  • Kidneys + adrenal cortex
  • Bone marrow + blood; lymphatic tissue; lining of blood vessels
33
Q

What structures are derived from the endoderm?

A
  • Mucosa of oesophagus, stomach and intestines
  • Epithelium of respiratory tract, including lungs
  • Liver and mucosa of gall bladder
  • Thyroid gland; pancreas
34
Q

In which week does organogenesis occur?

A

4

35
Q

Describe organogenesis

A
  • Embryonic folding
  • Cranio-caudal regions are formed
  • Neural tube fusing
  • Primitive ear present
  • Upper limb buds appear
  • Beating heart prominent
  • All organ systems recognisable by week 8
36
Q

What is embryonic folding?

A

Trilaminar disc folds into cylindrical shaped embryo

37
Q

What do the words ‘cranio’ and ‘caudal’ represent?

A
Cranio = head
Caudal = tail
38
Q

Describe the continued development of the embryo

A

Wk 5 - heartbeat can be seen and heard and brain, lens, nasal pit and upper limbs form
Wk 6 - differentiation of limbs and ears
Wk 7 - development of limbs
Wk 8 - digits form, tail disappears, human characteristics develop
Wk 12 - placenta becomes functional

39
Q

Outline what occurs in the embryonic period

A
  • Organs develop from the 3 primary germ tissues
  • Basic body plan emerges
  • Embryo grows from 3.5mm to 30mm
40
Q

What are teratogens?

A
  • Factors that cause congenital malformations during embryonic development
  • Structures in the developing embryo are sensitive to teratogens at different times
41
Q

When do most abnormalities in embryonic development occur?

A

Major morphological abnormalities = week 3-8

Functional defects and minor morphological abnormalities = week 8-40

42
Q

What are 5 factors that affect embryonic development?

A
  1. Genetic factors (15%)
  2. Mutant genes
  3. Environmental agents (10%)
  4. Multifactorial causes (25%
  5. Unknown causes (>50%)
43
Q

Describe the embryonic membranes

A
  • Amnion surrounds the embryo

- Umbilical cord formed from structures of connecting stalk

44
Q

What does the placental membrane consist of?

A
  • Epithelial wall of an embryonic capillary

- Epithelial wall of a chorionic villus

45
Q

What are the 2 portions of the placenta called?

A

Chorion (maternal portion)

Amnion (embryonic portion)

46
Q

Why are pregnant women advised to take folic acid?

A
  • Supports healthy development of foetal brain and spinal cord
  • Helps prevent neural tube defects
47
Q

Give 2 common neural tube defects

A
  1. Spina bifida

2. Anencephaly

48
Q

What is the recommended daily dose of folic acid?

A

400mcg
OR
5mg (high-risk women)

49
Q

Give 4 factors that increase the risk of neural tube defects

A
  1. Either the mother or her partner have spina bifida or have had a previously affect pregnancy
  2. Mother has diabetes
  3. Mother takes anti-epilepsy medication
  4. Mother has coeliac disease
50
Q

Give 4 ways of taking in folate

A
  1. Folic acid supplements
  2. Vegetables (asparagus, spinach, broccoli)
  3. Fruits (oranges, bananas, strawberries)
  4. Legumes (chickpeas, dried beans, lentils)