Fetal membranes

These are the amnion, the yolk sac, the chorion , and the
allantois, and each of these membranes starts out as a thin
sheet of tissue that surrounds a fluid filled cavity.
The first membranes to form are the amnion and the yolk sac.
The fetal membranes are the four extraembryonic
membranes, associated with the developing embryo, and
fetus in humans and other mammals. They are the amnion,
chorion, allantois, and yolk sac. The amnion and the chorion
are the chorioamniotic membranes that make up the
amniotic sac which surrounds and protects the
embryo.

The fetal membranes are derived from the trophoblast layer •

(outer layer of cells) of the implanting blastocyst.[3] The
trophoblast layer differentiates into amnion and the chorion,
which then comprise the fetal membranes.

The amnion is the innermost layer and, therefore, contacts the •

amniotic fluid, the fetus and the umbilical cord.[5] The internal
pressure of the amniotic fluid causes the amnion to
be passively attached to the chorion. .
The chorion functions to separate the amnion from the •
maternal decidua and uterus.[4] The placenta develops from the
chorion of the embryo and the uterine tissue of the
mother.
The fetal membrane surrounds the fetus during pregnancy and is a •
thin tissue composed of two layers, the chorion and the amnion.
While rupture of this membrane normally occurs at term, preterm
rupture can result in increased risk of fetal mortality and morbidity,
as well as danger of infection in the mother.
.

In order for successful delivery to occur, normal rupture of •

the membrane (ROM) takes place at term. Occasionally, ROM
occurs before the onset of labour, known as premature rupture
of the membrane (PROM), which is not considered to be
pathological as it is usually followed by
contractions.
However, approximately 3% of pregnancies are affected by •
rupture earlier than (37 )weeks gestational age, known as
preterm premature rupture of the fetal membrane
(PPROM).

Amnion •
The amnion is avascular, meaning it does not contain its own blood •
vessels. Therefore, it must obtain necessary nutrients and oxygen from
nearby chorionic and amniotic fluid, and fetal surface vessels.
The amnion is characterised by cuboidal and columnar epithelial •
layers. The columnar cells are located in the vicinity of the placenta,
whereas the cuboidal cells are found in the periphery.
During early pregnancy, the amnionic epithelium is sparsely covered in •
microvilli, which increase in number throughout pregnancy.

The function of this microvillous surface is associated with a densely- •

packed glycocalyx with anionic binding sites; these are thought to be
involved with intra-amnionic lipid synthesis.
•
This amnionic epithelium is connected to a basement membrane, •
which is then attached by filaments to a connective tissue layer.
 Chorion •
The chorionic membrane is a fibrous tissue layer •
containing the fetal blood vessels. Chorionic villi
form on the outer surface of the chorion, which
maximize surface area for contact with maternal
blood.[4] The chorionic villi are involved in fetal-
maternal exchange.
Chorionic villi emerge from the chorion as it develops. The •
villi located adjacent to the decidua capsularis (the part of
the decidua overlaying the embryo) will degenerate to
produce the smooth part of the chorion termed the
chorion laeve.
Whereas the villi adjacent to the decidua basalis (the part •
of the decidua between the chorion and uterine wall)
persist and increase in size to produce the part of the
chorion termed the chorion frondosum, also known as the
fetal portion of the placenta. These villi will invade and
anchor to the endometrium, allowing for the exchange of
nutrients, gases and wastes between maternal and fetal
blood.

The chorion frondosum (literally "bushy chorion") •

arises from the polar pole of the human embryo
trophoblast. It consists of a layer of trophblasts and
extraembryonic mesoderm surrounded by numerous
villi. This portion of the placenta is located at the site
of implantation.
The chorion frondosum is that part of the conceptus •
that forms as the villi grow larger on the side of the
chorionic shell next to the uterine wall. The discus-
shaped placenta develops from the chorion
frondosum and the decidua basalis.
 Yolk sac •
The yolk sac is a membranous sac attached to an embryo, formed •
by cells of the hypoblast layer of the bilaminar embryonic disc. This
is alternatively called the umbilical vesicle. In humans, the yolk sac
is important in early embryonic blood
supply.
Allantois

The human allantois is a caudal out-pouching of the yolk sac, which

becomes surrounded by the mesodermal connecting stalk . The
vasculature of the body-stalk develops into umbilical arteries that
carry deoxygenated blood to the placenta.
It is externally continuous with the proctodeum and internally
continuous with the cloaca. The embryonic allantois becomes the
fetal urachus, which connects the fetal bladder (developed from
cloaca) to the yolk sac.

Due an enlargement of the amniotic sac, the extraembryonic coelom

disappears and amnion lies to close vicinity of the chorionic sac, both
membranes ultimately fuse in one common layer known as amniochorionic
membrane.

In the full term fetus, the umbilical cord measures 1-2 cm in diameter and
30-90 cm in length (average 55 cm) , the cord is usually attached near the
center of the placenta.
 Primitive umbilical ring
Is the oval line of reflection between the amnion and •
embryonic ectoderm (amnio–ectodermal junction) .
At the fifth week of development, the following •
structures pass through the ring:
(a) the connecting stalk, containing the allantois and •
the umbilical vessels, consisting of two arteries and
one vein.
(b) the yolk stalk (Vitelline duct), accompanied by the •
vitelline vessels.
(c) the canal connecting the intraembryonic and •
extraembryonic cavities.
 The primitive umbilical cord
The amniotic cavity enlarges rapidly at the expense of the •
chorionic cavity, and the amnion begins to envelop the
connecting and yolk sac stalks, crowding them
together and giving rise to the primitive umbilical cord . •
Distally, the cord contains the yolk sac stalk and umbilical •
vessels .
More proximally, it contains some intestinal loops and the •
remnant of the allantois .
When the allantosis and vitelline duct and its vessels are also •
obliterated , all that remains in the cord are the umblical
vessels surrounded by a jelly of wharton which function as a
protective layer for the blood vessels.