APPLIED EMBRYOLOGY

DR AISWARYA M.S
PG SCHOLAR
DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS
 What do you mean by
embryology??
 Study of the formation & the
development of the embryo (or
fetus) from the moment of its
inception up to the time when it
is born as an infant.
What is the main objective
of study of embryology by a
medical student ?
 It tells how a single cell develops
into a newborn, containing
numerous tissues & organs.

 Therefore helps to understand

the complicated facts of adult
anatomy.
 Helps to understand why some
children are born with organs
that are abnormal, to know the
factors responsible for the mal
development .

 So that it helps us in reventing,

or treating such abnormalities.
To know the causation of
congenital abnormalities

HOW??
 It is observed that if a growing embryo is
exposed to certain agents (chemical/
physical), abnormalities in development
results. Such agents are called
“teratogens”.
 Some particular organs are most sensitive
to teratogens when they are passing
through critical phases in their
development.
 Period of greatest susceptibility to
teratogens differs from organ to organ.

 Therefore it is important to know the

timing of embryological events.
How much time each individual spends its
life within the mother’s womb?
38 weeks
 Most changes occur in the first 2 months
where main organs are acquired & so the
developing individual is called an EMBRYO.
 After 3rd month until birth, it is called a
FETUS.
 Embryonic period- from beginning of 3rd
week (3rd to 8th week). Most anomalies
produced by teratogens acting during this
period.
 The period upto first 14 days of pregnancy
is called “ preorganogenesis period” as no
organs are as yet recognizable.
 If teratogens act during this period, it
results in anomalies that cause death of
the embryo or the babies doesn’t reach
full term.
 Development of embryo

 In Week 3 we see the formation of the

heart, the beginning development of the
brain and spinal cord, and the beginning
of the gastrointestinal tract.
 Teratogens introduced during this
period may cause severe problems such
as the absence of one or more limbs or
a heart that is outside of the chest
cavity at birth.
 Weeks 4 and 5 -1/4 inch long- the
beginnings of the vertebra, the lower
jaw, the larynx ("voice box"), and the
rudiments of the ear and eye
 Teratogens may cause very serious
problems involving the esophagus,
vertebrae, eyes. The baby could be
born with severe facial clefts or missing
hands or feet.
 Week 6 - 1/2 inch- the formation of
the nose, jaw, palate, lung buds.
 Teratogens at this point may leave the
baby with profound heart problems or a
cleft lip.
 Week 7 - 7/8 inch- the eyes move
forward on the face, and the eyelids
and tongue begin to form
 Teratogens may cause heart and lung
problems, a cleft palate
 Week 8 -1 inch- The facial features
continue to develop, the beginnings of
external genitalia the external ear
appears, The long bones begin to form
 Teratogens may still cause heart
problems and stunting of the fingers
and toes.
The Fetus
 Weeks 9 to 12 - 3 inches- The eyelids
close now and will not reopen until about
the 28th week. The tooth buds for the
baby teeth appear.
 Weeks 13 to 16 - 6 inches- (second
trimester)-fine hair develops on the head
called lanugo. The fetus makes active
movements, including sucking, which leads
to some swallowing of the amniotic fluid. A
thin dark substance called meconium is
made in the intestinal tract.
 Weeks 17 to 20- Eyebrows and lashes
appear and nails appear on fingers and
toes. The mother can feel the fetus
moving ("quickening") and the fetal
heartbeat can be heard with a
stethoscope.
 Weeks 21 to 24- All the eye
components are developed, footprints
and fingerprints are forming.
 Weeks 25 to 28- (third trimester)-
rapid brain development, the eyelids
open and close.
 Weeks 29 to 32- 15 to 17 inches-
rapid increase in the amount of body
fat and the fetus begins storing its own
iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
 Weeks 33 to 36- The lanugo (body
hair) begins to disappear.
 Weeks 37 to 40- 19 to 21 inches - 19
to 21 inches - It fills the entire uterus.
The mother supplies the fetus with the
antibodies it needs to protect it against
disease.
Spermatogenesis ….
Oogenesis …..
fertilization ….
ovulation ….. ???
Clinical importance of these events?
Why we should know these?
 Test tube babies – the ovum is removed &
is placed in a suitable medium just before
ovulation. Spermatozoa are added.
Fertilization occurs. When embryo is 8
celled stage it is put inside the uterus.
 Sex determination- the sex of a child can
be determined from at the time of
fertilization.
Thank you …