What is Embryology?
Embryology is the study of the formation of the embryo and fetus. The formation of a single-celled embryo takes place by fusion of gametes: Sperm is the male gamete, and the egg is the female gamete. This single-celled embryo develops into a Zygote which further undergoes a series of cell divisions known as cleavage to form blastocyst. A blastocyst is a hollow ball of cells that adheres to the uterus and uptake nutrients and oxygen from the mother. This process is known as implantation. Germinal (0-2 weeks), embryonic (3-8 weeks), and fetal periods (9 weeks – birth) are various developmental stages of prenatal development of an organism.
Also Read: Fertilization and Implantation
The period from conception to birth is known as the gestation period. The formation of primordial cells occurs during the embryonic stage. These primordial cells move towards gonads followed by the maturation of fertile oocytes and spermatozoa by meiosis. The process by which the human embryo develops and takes shape is known as human embryonic development or human embryogenesis.
The early phases of development are marked by the processes of cell division and cellular differentiation of the embryo. From weeks three through eight, a developing human is called an embryo, and from the ninth week of gestation until birth, it is called a fetus. The study of embryogenesis, including the transformation of a single-cell embryo into a baby, is known as embryology. Embryogenesis is a process in which the development of an embryo occurs into to fetus.
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.
Table of Content
- What is Embryology?
- What is Embryogenesis?
- Stages of Embryology
- Human Development
- Duration and Stages of Pregnancy
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