Pre-embryonic period |
First 2 weeks |
• Fertilization |
• Cleavage and blastocyst formation |
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• Implantation |
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• Formation of embryoblast and trophoblast |
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• Differentiation of embryoblast to two-layered (bilaminar) germ disc |
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• Differentiation of trophoblast into cytotrophoblast & syncytiotrophoblast |
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Embryonic period |
3-8 weeks |
• Trilaminar germ disc formation with the formation of 3 germ layers |
• Early organogenesis |
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• Formation of extraembryonic supportive organs and membranes such as placenta, umbilical cord, amnion, and allantois |
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Fetal period |
9 weeks to birth |
• Growth and specialization of body structures |