Boundless Anatomy and Physiology

Human Development and Pregnancy

Fifth Through Eighth Weeks of Development

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Fifth Through Eighth Weeks of Development

Weeks ve to eight of gestation develops the major organs, including the circulatory,
nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Outline embryonic development between ve and eight weeks

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Key Points

Being susceptible to the e ects of teratogens is high during embryonic

development.

At week ve, the brain, spinal cord, vertebrae, heart, vasculature, and
gastrointestinal tract begin to develop.

During weeks six to seven, the embryo grows from 4 mm in length to 9 mm

and begins to curve into a C-shape. The fetal heart bulges, develops further,
and begins to beat in a regular rhythm. Rudimentary blood begins to move
through the blood vessels. The neural tube, which forms the brain, closes.

During weeks six and seven, the limb buds form. The eyes, mouth, and ear
structures begin to form. The initial di erentiation of the tissues that will
become the spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys, stomach, and lungs
occurs.

By week eight of gestation, the lungs begin to form, as well as the lymphatic
system. The main development of the external genitalia begins, and the
brain continues to develop. The arms and legs have grown longer, and the
foot and hand areas can be clearly distinguished.

Key Terms
 chorionic membrane: One of the membranes that exist during pregnancy
between the developing fetus and mother. The chorionic villi emerge from
the chorion, invade the endometrium, and allow transfer of nutrients from
maternal blood to fetal blood.

Gestational age: The time that has passed since the onset of the last
menstruation.

Embryonic age: Measures the actual age of the embryo or fetus from the
time of fertilization.

teratogens: An agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that causes a

malformation of an embryo or fetus.

Weeks ve through eight of gestation are characterized by the development of the major
organ systems, including the circulatory, nervous, lymphatic, and gastrointestinal systems.
During this time, the embryo is extremely susceptible to the e ects of teratogens.

Gestational age is the time that has passed since the onset of the last menstruation, which
occurs two weeks before the actual fertilization. Embryonic age measures the actual age of
the embryo or fetus from the time of fertilization. Thus, the rst week of embryonic age is
already week three counting with gestational age. The number of the week (used here) is
one more than the actual age of the embryo/fetus. For example, the embryo is 0 whole
weeks old during the rst week after fertilization.

Week 5

At week ve, the brain, spinal cord, vertebrae, heart, vasculature, and gastrointestinal tract
begin to develop.

Week 6–7

During weeks six and seven, the embryo

grows from four millimeters in length to
nine millimeters and begins to curve into a
C-shape. The fetal heart bulges, develops
further, and begins to beat in a regular
rhythm. Rudimentary blood begins to move
through the main embryonic blood vessels,
connecting to the yolk sac and the
chorionic membrane of the placenta.

The arm and leg buds, which will grow into

the full limbs over the rest of development,
become visible. The neural tube, which
forms the brain, closes. The brain then
develops into ve areas and some cranial
Human embryo at seven weeks: An embryo from an
nerves are visible. ectopic pregnancy, still in the oviduct. This embryo is
about ve weeks old (or from the seventh week of
The eyes, mouth, and ear structures begin menstrual age). The heart is the dark spot at the
center of the image, bulging out of the embryo.
to form. The initial di erentiation of the
tissues that will become the spleen,
gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys, stomach, and lungs occurs.

Week 8

By week eight of gestation, the embryo measures 13 millimeters in length. The lungs begin
to form, as well as the lymphatic system. The main development of the external genitalia
begins, and the brain continues to develop.

The arms and legs have grown longer, and the foot and hand areas can be clearly
distinguished. The hands and feet have ngers and toes, but may still be webbed.

Human embryo from an ectopic pregnancy: An embryo from an ectopic pregnancy, located in the part of
the uterus to which the fallopian tube is attached. The features are consistent with a developmental age of
seven weeks (the ninth week of menstrual age).
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