Embryology

• What is the primary focus of the study of embryology?

  Ordered formation, growth, and development of the embryo
• What are the necessary components to make an embryo?

  An egg, a sperm, and a womb
• What are the key stages of embryonic development?

  • Gametes
  • Fertilization and zygote
  • Development of the embryo
  • Development of the fetus
  • Birth (39-40 weeks of gestation)

  
• Why is it important to study embryology?

  It informs anatomical study and molecular biology
• What percentage of live births will have a birth defect?

  5%
• What is teratology?

  The study of birth defects and their causes
• What are the primary tissue classes in human development?

  • Epithelial
  • Connective
  • Nervous
  • Muscular
• What is the definition of epithelial tissue?

  Layers of closely spaced cells covering surfaces
• Where is epithelial tissue found?

  Epidermis and inner lining of digestive tract
• What is connective tissue primarily composed of?

  More matrix than cell volume
• What are the representative locations of nervous tissue?

  Brain, spinal cord, and nerves
• What is the main function of muscular tissue?

  Specialized for contraction
• What are the clinical stages of prenatal development?

  • Conception (fertilization)
  • Conceptus
  • Gestation (pregnancy)
  • Trimesters
  • Parturition (childbirth)
• What occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy?

  Embryo is very vulnerable
• What is the embryonic stage duration?

  17 days to end of 8 weeks

  
• What is the zygote?

  A single diploid cell formed by egg and sperm
• What happens during cleavage?

  Mitotic division of the zygote into blastomeres
• What is a morula?

  A spherical stage with 16 or more blastomeres
• What is a blastocyst?

  A fluid-filled stage with trophoblast and embryoblast
• What is gastrulation?

  Formation of the primary germ layers
• What are the major derivatives of the three primary germ layers?

  • Ectoderm: Epidermis, nervous system
  • Mesoderm: Skeleton, muscles, blood vessels
  • Endoderm: Mucosal epithelium of digestive tract
• What is the function of the placenta?

  Transports nutrients and waste between mother and fetus
• What does the amnion do?

  Surrounds the amniotic fluid
• What is the fetal stage duration?

  8 to 38 weeks
• What is noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)?

  Screening for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies
• What are the invasive prenatal diagnostic tests?

  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
  • Amniocentesis
  • Cordocentesis

  
• What is the role of the allantois?

  Forms umbilical cord and urinary bladder
• What is the purpose of prenatal diagnosis?

  To assess fetal and maternal health
• What are the learning outcomes of the embryology study material?

  • Importance of studying embryology
  • Key events in embryogenesis
  • Origins of tissue types
  • Prenatal diagnosis methods