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Foundations of Medicine > Embryology > Flashcards

Embryology Flashcards

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1
Q

Key terminology

Gamete

A

Mature haploid male or female germ cell which is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote

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2
Q

Key terminology

Embryonic period

A

weeks 3 - 8 in humans (most critical period in terms of risk of teratogens as most major stuctures developing at this time)

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3
Q

Key terminology

Teratology

A

the study of abnormal development

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4
Q

Key terminology

Teratogen

A

cause irreversible, deleterious structural malformations in fetuses

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5
Q

Key terminology

Mutagen

A

cause changes (mutations) in the genetic material of cells

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6
Q

Key terminology

Malformations

A

complete or partial absence of a structure or alterations in its normal configuration can be caused by environmental and/or genetic factors

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7
Q

Key terminology

Disruption

A

morphological alterations of already formed structures and are caused by destructive processes

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8
Q

Key terminology

Deformation

A

Abnormal formation due to mechanical factors over a prolonged period

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9
Q

List the 7 Phases of embryogenesis

A
  1. Gametogenesis
  2. Fertilisation
  3. Cleavage
  4. Gastrulation
  5. Embryonic folding (morphogenesis)
  6. Organogenesis (3-8 week)
  7. Foetal period
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10
Q

Describe Gametogenesis

A
  • Formation of gametes from primordial germ cells (consists of mitosis and meiosis leading to genetic variation)
  • Spermatogenesis -males
  • Oogenesis - females
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11
Q

Describe Spermatogenesis

A
  • formation of male gametes
  • Whole process 64-74 days and produces 300 million sperm cells per day
  • Occurs at puberty and continues throughout life
    Phases:
    Spermatogonial phase
  • spermatogonium cells divide by mitosis to form primary spermatocytes
    Spermatocyte phase
  • Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis forming secondary spermatocytes and then secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis II to form spermatids
    Spermatid Phase
    -spermatids differentiate into spermatozoa with specific morphology
  • Spermatagonium found nearer to periphery of gonads and move towards lumen as they mature to from spermatids.
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12
Q

Describe Oogenesis

A
  • Formation of female gametes
  • Starts in development and ends at menopause
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13
Q

Describe Fertilisation

A

Union of gametes:
* Fusion of sperm and oocyte to form a zygote (single cell embryo, diploid and sex determined)
* Takes place in the ampulla of the uterine tube

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14
Q

Describe Cleavage

A
  • Period of rapid mitotic cell division with no increase in size or volume as cells are confined within the ZP the embryo will change shape (compaction)
  • Daughter cell= blastomere
  • Formation of morula (16+ cells) then blastocyst (200-300 cells)
  • Cells maximize available space by coming into closer contact with each other
  • Inner cells form cell junctions, outer cells form gap junctions
  • Fluid enters through ZP producing a blurred cell mass - signals the formation of the blastocyst
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15
Q

Describe Gastrulation

A
  • Formation of the germ layers - ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm (in order from out to in)
  • Body axis established
  • Embryo goes from a 2 layered structure to a 3 layered structure (end of week 2- start of week 3)
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16
Q

Describe Embryonic folding (morphogenesis)

A
  • Formation of the body plan
  • Tube within a tube
  • Cranial and lateral regions on Day 22
    Caudal region on Day 23
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17
Q

Describe Organogenesis

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A
  • (3-8 week)
  • Formation of Organs and Organ Systems
  • Basis of these all in place by end of embryonic period
  • Will continue to develop through foetal period
18
Q

Describe the Foetal period

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A
  • From week 9 until birth
  • Growth, weight gain:
  • Mainly grows in length during 2nd trimester
  • Most weight is added in 3rd trimester
  • 14g (end of 2nd month) to 3500g (at birth)
  • Tissues mature and become functional
  • Overt sexual differentiation
  • Bone laid down; connections made in CNS
19
Q

List 6 Primary Developmental Processes

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A
  1. Cell Division​
  2. Differentiation
  3. Cell Attachment​
  4. Apoptosis
  5. Induction
  6. Cell migration
20
Q

What is Cell division?

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A

increase in number of cells influences the shape and growth of embyro

21
Q

What is Differentiation?

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A

change in appearance or structure of cells allows for adoption of new functions

22
Q

What is Cell attachment?

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A

physical/functional linkages between cells formation of tissue

23
Q

What is Apoptosis?

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A

programmed cell death. creates spaces and cavities

24
Q

What is Induction?

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A

ability of one cell type to cause another to differentiate, directly or at a distance

25
What is Cell migration?
movement from one location to another
26
List the 3 Secondary processes of embryonic development
1. Axis formation 2. Folding/rotation 3. Increase/decreases in mass or dimension
27
Describe the Basic Chromosome Theory of inheritance
- 23 pairs to form diploid number of 46 chromosomes - Female XX and male XY
28
List Anatomy terms for feotus
- Cephalic/cranial - superior - Caudal - inferior - Ventral - anterior - Dorsal - posterior - Rostral - anterior of head - Caudal - back of head
29
List anatomical planes of a feotus
- Frontal/coronal plane splits embryo in ventral and dorsal aspect - axial/transverse plane splits embryo into cephalic/cranial aspects - Saggital plane spits embryo into a right and left side
30
Describe the 4 stages of Fertilisation
1. Sperm binds to zona pellucida glycoprotein 2. Acrosomal enzymes released from sperm head; sperm digests its way into egg 3. Egg and sperm plasma membranes fuse and sperm contents enters the egg 4. Sperm entry triggers completion of meiosis 2 and release of cortical granules by oocyte (make ZP impenetrable to other sperm) | OCCURS IN AMPULLA
31
Name the different parts of the blastocyst and what they give rise to
- **Outer cell mass (trophoblast):** contacts with the endometrium of the uterus to facilitate implantation and the formation of the placenta - **Inner cell mass (embryoblast):** responsible for the formation of the embryo itself
32
Where in the uterus does the embryo normally implant?
* Implantation (day 6-8) typically occurs in posterior wall of the uterine cavity * Abnormal implantation site= ectopic pregnancy
33
Describe the changes in the trophoblast and embryoblast during implantation
* Day 7 * Trophoblast divides into cytotrophoblast (individual cells) and syncytioblast (single multinucleated cell which produces hCG) - Embryobast divides into epiblast (dorsal surface) and hypoblast (ventral surface)
34
Describe day 8-9 of embryo developement
- Formation of 2 cavities = amniotic cavity (epiblast) and primitive yolk sac (hypoblast) - Implantation complete
35
Describe day 10-12 of embryo developement
- Uteroplacental circulation established - Extraembryonic mesoderm develops then degenerates, forming chorionic cavity
36
Describe day 13 of embryo developement
Formation of secondary yolk sac, connecting stalk, and chorionic cavity
37
Name the layers of the trilaminar embryo
1. ectoderm 2. mesoderm 3. endoderm
38
State the major tissues derived from the Ectoderm
- Epidermis of skin, hair, nails - Nervous system
39
State the major tissues derived from the Endoderm
- Lining of gut tube - Lining of respiratory tract - Lining of bladder and urethra
40
State the major tissues derived from the mesoderm (Paraxial/ Intermediate)
- **Paraxial mesoderm:** axial skeleton, skeletal muscle - **Intermediate mesoderm:** urogenital systems
41
State the major tissues derived from the mesoderm (lateral plate)
- **Somatic layer:** dermis, lining of body wall, parts of limbs - **Visceral layer:** cardiovascular system, mesothelial covering of organs, smooth muscle
42
What is the Notochord?
* Cellular rod * Serves as longitudinal support * Crucial for signalling that transforms unspecialised embryonic cells to definitive tissues and organs * Becomes the nucleus pulposus

Foundations of Medicine (15 decks)

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