Basic Embryology

Sakina
Departemen Anatomi dan
Histologi
FK UNAIR
sakinahusen@yahoo.com

Embryology

Definition:
Study

of the embryo
Study of prenatal development

Why embryology:
Understand

adult anatomy
Bridging basic & clinical sciences

Periods of Human Embryology

Clinicians & prospective parents: 1st, 2nd,
3rd trimesters
Embryologist:

Period

Fertilization to the end of 3rd week

Period

of the embryo

Beginning of the 4th week to the end of 8th week

Period

of the egg

of the fetus

Beginning of the 3rd month to birth

Period of the egg

Fertilization
Formation of
the blastocyst
Implantation of
the blastocyst

embryology.med.unsw.edu.au

Implantation:
Initial events, 5-7
days after fertilization

Period of the embryo

Start from a
trilaminar
embryo

embryology.med.unsw.edu.au

Period of the fetus

Rapid
growth
Functional
maturation

Phases of Human Embryology

Gametogenesis
Oogenesis

& spermatogenesis
Producing haploid cells

Fertilization
Producing

zygote
Restoring diploid number of chromosomes
zygote, tuba fallopii

Cleavage
1248so

on
Start differentiate into
trophoblast (placenta
to be) & inner cell
mass (embryo to be)
Blastocyst formation

Gastrulation
Endoderm,
mesoderm,
ectoderm
Three body axes
(dorsoventral,
craniocaudal,
mediolateral)
Notochord
formation
Somites formation

Notochord

Day 16-18

Epiblast at primitive

streak invaginate &

migrate to dorsal
surface

Neurulasi
bioethicsarchive.george
town.edu

https://embryology.
med.unsw.edu.au

Formation of body plan

Morphogenesis
Genetic mutations and teratogen exposure will
caused dysmorphogenesis
Organogenesis

Growth and differentiation to form organs and system

organs

Major derivatives of the embryonic germ layers

II. Events in Development, by Trimester

A. First Trimester
1. End of first month:
a. Nervous System and brain
developing
b. Somites for muscle, skeleton,
and skin in place
c. Mandible forms
d. Amnion and chorion fuse

II. Events in Development, by Trimester

End of first month

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

d. Lungs begin to develop

e. Heart starts beating (day 21)
f. Blood cells arise in yolk sac, liver
g. Kidneys developing
h. Arm and leg buds appear
i. All major organ systems in place

Lung Development,First Trimester

Hyoid bone
Cricoid cartilage
Trachea
Right primary
bronchus
Right lung

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

2. Second month
a. Eyes, ears, jaws develop
b. Reproductive organs distinct
c. Fingers and toes apparent
d. Skeletal formation begins (~6 wks)
e. First 8 weeks: period of the embryo

Differentiation of Reproductive Organs

Male (left) vs. Female (right) Homologs

II. Events in Development, by Trimester

End of second month

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

3. Third month
a. Period of the fetus begins

b. Thumb & forefinger opposed

c. Breathing, eating, general
movements more coordinated

d. Behavior becomes individualized

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

d. Taste buds develop

e. Excreting urine into amniotic fluid
f. Extensive skeletal formation
g. Facial hair by day 70

II. Events in Development, by Trimester

End of third month

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

4. End of first trimester

a. All major organ systems in place

b. During organ formation:
1. Embryo is most susceptible to
outside insults

Events by trimester, 1st, cont.

a. Drugs, viral diseases, radiation

b. Alcohol use, smoking,

measles, polio, HIV, etc.

2. Exposure can produce

congenital anomalies

Congenital Anomalies: NTDs

Cystic
Hygroma

Encephalocele

Anencephaly

Congenital anomalies: Cleft Palate

Events by trimester, cont

B. The Second Trimester

1. End of 4th month:
a. Weight = 4 - 6 oz
b. Length = 7 - 8 inches
c. Internal viscera enlarge, are
enclosed by abdominal wall.

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

e. Can hold head erect

f. Skin well-developed enough to

distinguish finger and foot prints
g. Spontaneously stretches arms,
legs
h. Some reflex ability

Foot with Tootsies

Embryo at 16 weeks

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

2. End of the 5th month

a. Weight = 1/2 lb (8 oz)
b. Freely mobile in amniotic sac

1. ~ 350 ml/hr amniotic fluid

made/hour (8.5 liters/day)
2. Fluid protects against
trauma and temperature
changes.

Looks Like Dad

Events by trimester, 2nd, con.

c. Fetus looks fully formed

d. Only rarely survive on their own
e. Lungs completely formed, not
functional

f. Skin covered by vernix

1. Cheesy substance

2. Protective function

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

g. Digestive organs formed, but not

yet functional

h. Infants born < 1000 grams need

complete life support
i. Reduction or loss of vestigial
structures occurs
-remnants of ~125 remain in adult

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

j.

Fingernails and toenails develop

k. In some organs, cells replacement

begins (by mitosis!)
l. Movement becomes constant

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

m. Can identify elbows, knees and

buttocks
n. Occasionally hiccoughs

o. Load on mothers heart, lungs, and

kidneys increases

Events by trimester, 2nd, cont.

3. End of 6th month

a. Weight = 1 - 1/2 lbs,
b. Length = 12 - 14 inches
c. Well-proportioned miniature human
d. Skin is red and wrinkled

e. Hair follicles, glands, sense receptors

develop
f. Active skeletal formation

Events by trimester, cont

C. The Third Trimester

1. Most difficult period for mother
a. Added weight of fetus
b. Increased pressure on her
organs

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

c. Increased demands on mom:

1. Must breathe, digest, excrete &
circulate blood for two

2. Blood volume at 7 months:

increased 30%

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

3. 16% of mothers blood is in

uterus & placenta
4. Increased blood pressure

5. Breathing difficulties

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

2. Premature births
a. 10% of 7 month babies survive

b. 70% of 8 month babies survive

c. 95% of 9 month babies survive

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

3. Needs of Fetus
a. Calcium: 85% of mothers
intake goes to fetal bone
b. Iron: 85% of mothers iron
intake used to make fetal

formation
hemoglobin

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

c. Nitrogen: Required for

nervous system development
d. Evidence that low intellect
is correlated to low protein
trimester

maternal diet in 3rd

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

4. Immune Transferal to Fetus

a. Infections contracted by
mother cause her to develop
antibodies
b. These are passed to fetus via fetal
circulation.
c. Antibodies will protect infant for up
to 6 months post-partum

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

5. Activity of Fetus

a. Baby seems less active because it

is more confined (less space)
b. Fetal activity slows prior to birth

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

6. Uterine changes
a. 60 times original volume at term
b. Amniotic fluid volume varies

1. 500 - 1000 ml (normal limits)

2. Volumes over 2500 ml are
abnormal (polyhydramnios)

Events by trimester, 3rd, cont.

7. Preceding Birth

a. Evidence that aging placenta may

signal childbirth (more later)
b. Forces fetus to seek new
environment

Langmans
embryology

Langmans
embryology

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