What is Embryogenesis?

The process of embryonic development that takes place in the first eight weeks following fertilization is known as embryogenesis. The embryo is made up of the trophoblast and the embryoblast when the blastocyst is implanted in the endometrium. The trophoblast primarily contributes to the placenta’s development, whereas the embryoblast goes on to develop into other bodily components.

During the second week of development, the chorionic cavity, yolk sac, extraembryonic mesoderm, and amniotic cavity develop. Through the process of gastrulation, the bilaminar disc differentiates into a trilaminar embryonic disc in weeks three and four. The three germ layers give rise to various structures. During weeks three and four, the process of neurulation contributes to the development of the nervous system. The primary characteristics of weeks five through eight are organogenesis and ongoing differentiation of embryonic tissue.

What is Embryology?

Embryology is the study of the origin and prenatal development of an organism which comprises the germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods. The germinal period consists of the first two weeks from conception, the embryonic period includes the third to eighth week from conception, and the fetal period consists of the ninth week from conception to birth. Gestation in embryology refers to the period from conception to birth. The gestation period is different from gestational age which is measured in weeks starting from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period.

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