Term 2 Topic - Fetal development (Membranes)

In this post, I will be talking about fetal development and the fetal membranes that are formed. There are four membranes:
1. Amnion
- Enclosed amniotic fluid
- Surrounds the developing foetus for 9 months
>Amniotic Sac cushions fetus before birth
>Absorbs shock
>Fetus can move freely
>Lubricates vagina during delivery
>Not compressible this prevent physical injury

2. Chorion
- Placenta development
>Placenta used to draw a continued supply of food, water and nutrients
- Folds up into folds to form chorionic villi (finger-like projections)
>Placenta formed
• Exchange of nutrients, oxygen and waste between fetal and maternal blood.
• Allows diffusion of protective antibodies
• Produces progesterone which maintains the uterine lining.
>The chorionic villi increase surface area for absorption.
• Capillary networks inside the villi carry material away, maintain concentration gradients to facilitate diffusion of materials.

3. Allantois
- Placenta development (Later Stages)

4. Yolk Sac
- Contains yolk
- Provide nutrients
- Yolk Sac will be exhausted, around the time when the Placenta is formed.