Folding of Embryo: by DR O.O.Eweoya
Folding of Embryo: by DR O.O.Eweoya
By
Dr O.O.Eweoya
INTRODUCTION
• Length of human development in pregnancy is forty (40) weeks that is
280days.
• Human development is divided into Embryonic and Fetal periods.
• Embryonic period is from fertilization to 8weeks and it is further
subdivided into Germinal period ( Zygote -3rd week) and Embryonic period
proper (4th -8th week).
• Fetal period is from 8th week to Term.
• 1st week involves Clevage,Morula, Blastocyst and Implantation.
• 2nd week involves Bilaminar germ disc formation,
Cytotrophoblast,Syncytiotrophoblast,Somato-pleuric and Splanchno-
pleuric mesoderms,Connecting stalk formation.
• 3rd week involves Trilaminar germ disc formation .
• 4th week involves Folding of the embryo/gut tube formation.
FOLDING OF EMBRYO
• For better understanding the embryonic folding is considered
in two ways namely:
• i) Cranio-caudal / Longitudinal folding
• ii) Transverse folding
• It is worthy of mentioning that the two processes occur
simultaneously.
• Each of these processes is discussed hereunder:
• Folding occurs as a result of rapid growth of neural tube and
somites.
CRANIAL LONGITUDINAL FOLDING