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ANATOMY / THE VISUAL PRACTICAL ATLAS

Embryology
Identify. Understand. Recall.

Early development, germ layers, folding and placenta.

6 sections25 practical topicsZoomable references
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YOUR VISUAL REVISION CHECKLIST

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25 lessons with anatomical references, identification clues and viva answers.

01Early development7Browse this group →
  1. Cleavage & blastocyst
  2. Implantation
  3. Bilaminar embryonic disc
  4. Gastrulation & germ layers
  5. Neurulation
  6. Embryonic folding
  7. Placenta & maternal–fetal interface
02Fertilization & implantation3Browse this group →
  1. Fertilization
  2. Sperm–oocyte interaction
  3. Trophoblast differentiation
03Membranes & placenta5Browse this group →
  1. Amniotic cavity
  2. Yolk sac
  3. Chorion and chorionic villi
  4. Umbilical cord
  5. Placental exchange barrier
04Germ layers & body plan3Browse this group →
  1. Primitive streak and gastrulation
  2. Notochord
  3. Embryonic body folding
05Neural & axial development4Browse this group →
  1. Neural tube closure
  2. Neural crest
  3. Somites
  4. Neural-tube defects: developmental basis
06Fetal circulation & transition2Browse this group →
  1. Fetal circulatory shunts
  2. Circulatory transition at birth
07Organ differentiation1Browse this group →
  1. Gonadal and duct differentiation
Cleavage & blastocyst teaching reference
Early development

Cleavage & blastocyst

Establishes the early conceptus before implantation.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Implantation teaching reference
Early development

Implantation

Anchors the conceptus and establishes early maternal support.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Bilaminar embryonic disc teaching reference
Early development

Bilaminar embryonic disc

Establishes the arrangement preceding gastrulation.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Gastrulation & germ layers teaching reference
Early development

Gastrulation & germ layers

Creates the trilaminar disc from which tissues and organs develop.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Neurulation teaching reference
Early development

Neurulation

Establishes the primordium of the central nervous system.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Embryonic folding teaching reference
Early development

Embryonic folding

Establishes the body form and positions developing organ systems.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Placenta & maternal–fetal interface teaching reference
Early development

Placenta & maternal–fetal interface

Supports exchange and endocrine functions during pregnancy.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 2 viva prompts
Fertilization teaching reference
Fertilization & implantation

Fertilization

Restores the diploid chromosome complement and initiates embryonic development.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Sperm–oocyte interaction teaching reference
Fertilization & implantation

Sperm–oocyte interaction

Coordinated recognition and membrane events allow fertilization and help prevent polyspermy.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Trophoblast differentiation teaching reference
Fertilization & implantation

Trophoblast differentiation

Trophoblastic derivatives establish implantation and form important fetal placental components.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Amniotic cavity teaching reference
Membranes & placenta

Amniotic cavity

Provides a fluid-filled protective environment that permits movement and development.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Yolk sac teaching reference
Membranes & placenta

Yolk sac

Contributes to early nutrient transfer, early haematopoiesis and germ-cell-related developmental pathways.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Chorion and chorionic villi teaching reference
Membranes & placenta

Chorion and chorionic villi

Forms the fetal placental interface and supports exchange through villous architecture.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Primitive streak and gastrulation teaching reference
Germ layers & body plan

Primitive streak and gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes definitive ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm and key body axes.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Notochord teaching reference
Germ layers & body plan

Notochord

Provides axial signalling and contributes to organisation of the developing neural and skeletal axes.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Neural tube closure teaching reference
Neural & axial development

Neural tube closure

Forms the central nervous system through neurulation and later differentiation.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Neural crest teaching reference
Neural & axial development

Neural crest

A migratory cell population contributing peripheral ganglia, Schwann cells, melanocytes and craniofacial tissues.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Somites teaching reference
Neural & axial development

Somites

Contribute axial skeleton, skeletal muscle and dermal components in a segmental body plan.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Embryonic body folding teaching reference
Germ layers & body plan

Embryonic body folding

Transforms the relatively flat disc into a three-dimensional body with ventral closure and gut-tube formation.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Umbilical cord teaching reference
Membranes & placenta

Umbilical cord

Carries fetal blood between fetus and placenta with connective-tissue protection of the vessels.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Placental exchange barrier teaching reference
Membranes & placenta

Placental exchange barrier

Permits regulated maternal–fetal exchange without a normal direct mixing of the two circulations.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Fetal circulatory shunts teaching reference
Fetal circulation & transition

Fetal circulatory shunts

Directs fetal flow around much of the liver and non-ventilated lungs.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Circulatory transition at birth teaching reference
Fetal circulation & transition

Circulatory transition at birth

Reorganises fetal circulation into separated pulmonary and systemic circuits after birth.

Identify · Structures · Viva 2 references · 4 viva prompts
Gonadal and duct differentiation teaching reference
Organ differentiation

Gonadal and duct differentiation

Coordinates gonadal, ductal and external reproductive development through interacting genetic and hormonal pathways.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts
Neural-tube defects: developmental basis teaching reference
Neural & axial development

Neural-tube defects: developmental basis

Relates neurulation failure to congenital abnormalities; the illustration shows normal closure for comparison.

Identify · Structures · Viva 1 reference · 4 viva prompts