HUMAN

DEVELOPMENT

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, you will be
able to:
Describe the process of fertilization and cleavage to
the blastocyst stage.
Explain when, where, and how implantation of the
embryo occurs.
Describe the structure and functions of the placenta
and umbilical cord.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, you will be
able to:
Name and explain the functions of the placental
hormones.
State the length of the average gestation period,
and describe the stages of labor.
Describe the major changes in the infant at birth.

Human development:
growth of a fertilized egg into a
human individual

Fertilization
the union of the nuclei of egg and
sperm; usually takes place in the
fallopian tube

Fertilization (process)
Sperm undergo final maturation
(capacitation) within the female
reproductive tract
ACROSOME - contains enzyme that
digest the membrane of the ovum.

SPERM CELL (ACROSOME)

Fertilization (process)

Zygote
initial cell formed
when two sex cells
(gametes) unite.

Implantation 5 to 8 days after

fertilization
Within the fallopian tube, the
zygote begins mitotic divisions
called CLEAVAGE to form twocell, eight-cell stages and so on.

MORULA solid sphere of cells

that divides further to form a
hollow sphere (BLASTOCYST)

Implantation
BLASTOCYST
Trophoblast
(outer layer)
Inner mass cells
(potential
embryo)

EMBRYO AND EMBRYONIC

MEMBRANE
Embryo is the developing human
individual

from

the

time

of

implantation until the eighth week of

gestation.

EMBRYO AND EMBRYONIC

MEMBRANE
At approximately 12 days:
embryonic

disc

(the

potential

person) is simply a plate of cells within

the blastocyst. As cells keep dividing, the
plate of cells begins to fold.
At 14 days twinning is believed to be no
longer possible.

Primary Layers/Germ Layers

Ectoderm outer
Epidermis, keratin (active)

Mesoderm middle
Skeletal muscle, myosin and actin
(active)

Endoderm inner
Stomach lining, pepsinogen (active)

Amnion
a thin membrane that eventually
surrounds the embryo and contains
amniotic fluid.

Fetal Development

Fetal Development

Placenta
Both maternal and fetal tissue
Formed by the 3rd month of gestation
(12 weeks)
Functions:
to be the site of exchanges between
maternal and
fetal blood and to produce hormones
to maintain pregnancy.

Umbilical Cord
Connects the fetus from the placenta

Contains 2 arteries and 1 vein

Arteries carries blood from the fetus to

the placenta
Veins blood from placenta to the fetus

Placental Hormone
Human Chorionogonadotropin
(hCG)
Estrogen and Progesterone
Relaxin

Parturition and Labor

Parturition giving birth
Labor sequence of events that
occurs during birth.
Average gestation period : 40 weeks
(range of 38 42 weeks)

3 Stages of Labor
1st stage dilation of cervix;
Rupture of the bag of water
duration 8 12 hours

2nd stage delivery of the infant

Released of oxytocin = powerful
uterine contraction
Duration: varies,

3 Stages of Labor
3rd stage delivery of
placenta
Expulsion of placenta
duration 10 mins after 2nd stage