Review of Embryology Flashcards
What is the first 8 weeks of human development called?
Embryonic period
What is the fetal period?
After the embryonic period
What happens during the fetal period?
Mainly growth and maturation of the developed systems
Where does fertilisation take place?
In the ampulla of the fallopian tube
What is the ampulla?
The curved end of the fallopian tube
What is the morula?
A cluster of cells that cannot grow/multiply any further due to restrictions imposed by the zona pellucida
When does the morula form?
At around 96 hours after fertilisation
How many cells form the morula?
16
What is the blastocyst?
The organisation of cells forming the morula forms the blastocyst by engendering
Describe the maturation of the blastocyst
The morular cells in contact with the zona pellucida join together, compact and flatten to become an epithelial layer = trophoblasts
The few inner cells develop into the inner cell mass = embryoblast
What does the trophoblast form?
Placenta and nutrients
What does the embryoblast form?
Bilaminar cell layer
What is blastulation?
Process that happens when blastocyst has fully formed and hatches from the zona pellucida
Described the bilaminar disc
There are two layers:
1) Hypoblast (below) - during implantation this forms the umbilical vessel next to the yolk sac
2) Epiblast (above) - during implantation this forms the amniotic cavity
This forms the bilaminar disc
What is the name of the point where the hypoblast and epiblast meet?
Embryonic plate
What is implantation?
The embryo comes into contact with the uterine mucosa after hatching
When does implantation take place?
Adhesion can only occur if the endometrium is in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.
What is the importance of the placenta?
It serves as the vascular connection between the embryo and the mother
What is gastrulation?
The stage of development following implantation
Which event starts the process of gastrulation?
The formation of the primitive streak following the proliferation of epiblast cells
What is the primitive streak?
Site where the epiblast cells start to migrate
What structure helps to give the primitive streak orientation?
Prechordal plate
What is the oropharyngeal membrane?
Membrane that gives rise to the opening of the mouth
Formed next to the prechordal plate