Folding of the embryo

Folding of the

embryo is due to
rapid growth of the
embryo specially
the nervous
system.
The head folds first
then the tail . At
the same time,
side to side folding
occurs.

The amniotic cavity

enlarged.
The Yolk sac smaller &
divided into (intraembryonic
Y.S, Yolk stalk& extra embryonic
Y.S).
Allantois& connecting stalk
shifted caudally.
S.T Shifted anterior to

The amniotic cavity more

enlarged.
Allantois& connecting stalk
shifted ventrally and form the
umbilical cord which contains
the extra embryonic Y.S and
stalk.
S.T Shifted caudal to
Cardiogenic plate.

Results of folding
Embryo change into- 1
.cylinderical embryo
Transposition between-2
septum transversum and
cardiogenic plate( S.T lies
cranial then ventral and
.lastly caudal)
Yolk sac reduced in size- 3
:&divided into
.a- intraembryonic ( gut)
b- extraembryonic
(.atrophies)
.c- yolk stalk (degenerates)
Allantois& connecting stalk- 4
become dorsal then caudal
.then ventral

THE FETAL
MEMBRANES
Definition:
Fetal membranes are all the structures that
develop from the zygote and do not share in the
formation of the embryo (extraembryonic
.structures from the primitive blastomeres)
:Fetal membranes are
. a. Chorion
. b. Amnion
. c. Yolk sac
d. The umbilical cord including allantois and
.body stalk

It is a membrane which bounds the amniotic . cavity

. It is continuous with the ectoderm of the embryo It contains about 800-1000 ml of watery and clear .fluid at full term

Formation &
structure
:Before folding
It begins as small vacules in the. epiblast
The vacules coalease together . forming a single cavity
The cells of the epiblast(ectoderm) adjacent to the
cytotrophoblast are called
. amnioblasts
The amnioblasts form the roof of.-the amniotic cavity
This cavity has a floor formed of.ectoderm
As the amniotic cavity increases insize, the layer of the amnioblast
loses its contact with the inner
surface of trophoblast and
.become known as the amnion

After folding:
The amniotic cavityincrease in size, at
expense of the extraembryonic ceolom
which decreases in size
.& finally disappears
The amniotic cavitysurrounds the embryo
in all directions. It lies
cranial, caudal, dorsal
& ventral to the
. embryo

Composition of amniotic fluid

water, 2% solid substances like inorganic & 98%.organic salts, fetal epithelium, protein & enzymes
Origin: The following forms the amniotic fluid:
1- Amniotic membrane
2- Maternal tissue (interstitial) fluid by diffusion
across the amnio-chorionic membrane from the
deciduas parietalis.
3- Filtrated from maternal blood.
4- Fluid is also secreted by the fetal respiratory tract
(300 400 ml daily) and enters the amniotic cavity.
5-Fetal urine.

Circulation
The amniotic fluid, formed by amniotic membrane & filtrated from maternal
,blood accumulates in the amniotic cavity
. Then, it is swallowed by the embryo Lastly, it passes as fetal urine to . accumulate again in the amniotic cavity

Volume of the amniotic fluid:

The volume of amniotic fluid increases
slowly from 30 ml at 10 weeks gestation
to 350 ml at 20 weeks to 700 1000 ml
.by 37 weeks

Function
:Before labour
It forms an isolating bag around the embryo -1
protecting him from external trauma, shock &
.temperature
2-It prevents adhesion of the embryo to its
membranes.
3-It allows homogenous media needed for the
growth of the embryo.
It permits the free movement of the embryo -4
.needed for muscular exercise
5-It allows the embryo to practice suckling.

Function
During labor:
1- It forms the bags of fore water and hind
water.
2-The bag of fore water allows regular dilatation
of the
cervix.
3-After rupture of membrane the amniotic fluid
serves
as a lubricant for fetus descent.
4-Also the amniotic fluid is bacteriostatic.

Uses of the amniotic

fluid
- The cells of amniotic fluid can be used for fetal
chromosomal studies
(to diagnose chromosomal aberrations as Down
syndrome, Edward syndrome, and others), and for
DNA studies for diagnosis of some single gene
disorders.
- Some proteins and enzymes in the amniotic fluid
can be estimated and its level (whether normal or
deviated) is diagnostic for some genetic diseases
and congenital anomalies. These proteins are alpha
fetoprotein (AFP), , unconjugated estradiol ( E3),
pregnancy associated protein A (PAP-A), inhibin A,
and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

Abnormalities
1-Polyhydramnios: increase in the amount of
amniotic fluid (2 liters). It is due to fetal cause
(oesophagial atresia) or maternal cause
(diabetes of the mother). It leads to premature
labour.
2-Oligohydramnios: decrease in the volume of
amniotic fluid (0.5 liter). It is due to failure of
development of the fetal kidney diminish the
volume of fetal urine, decrease the amount of
amniotic fluid adhesion of the fetal skin with
its membrane.
3-Cul du sac: the baby will be born in a closed
sac.