Development of the human body
Process of growth from fertilization to maturity.
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The process involves cell proliferation and differentiation, with the resulting embryo implanting in the uterus and developing through a fetal stage until birth.[1] Maturity is reached through the lifelong process of human body development, which starts when fertilization occurs.[1] After birth, ongoing growth and development are shaped by a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental, and other influences.[1]
Quick Facts
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- Human biology and developmental biology
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
Development begins when a sperm cell penetrates an egg released from the ovary, forming a zygote.[1][2] The germinal stage lasts about 10 days, during which the zygote undergoes rapid cell divisions called cleavage.[3][4] The ectoderm develops into the outer layer of skin and nervous system, the mesoderm forms skeletal muscles and blood cells, and the endoderm forms the epithelium of respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.[5] The placenta connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, providing oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products.[6]
For about a week following fertilization, the developing embryo stays inside the zona pellucida before emerging from it and attaching to the uterine lining.[4] The formation of organs, known as organogenesis, starts during the third week of embryonic development with the appearance of three germ layers.[5] The fetal stage is defined as beginning at the start of the ninth week after fertilization.[7] Puberty typically starts for girls between ages 10 and 11, and for boys between ages 11 and 12.[8]
What the cited sources add
The 2012 edition of "Principles of anatomy & physiology" by Tortora, published by Wiley, states that embryonic development has four stages: morula, blastula, gastrula, and neurula.[9][4]
References
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ((The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica)), "Human body/Basic form and development", Encyclopedia Britannica (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Gartler, "The chromosome number in humans: a brief history", Nature Reviews Genetics, August 2006, p. 655–660 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Germinal stage", Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Tortora, "Principles of anatomy & physiology", Wiley, 2012, p. 1183 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Moore, "The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology", Elsevier, 2020, p. 47–63 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pough et al. 1992. Herpetology: Third Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall:Pearson Education, Inc., 2002. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Klossner, N. Jayne, Introductory Maternity Nursing (2005): "The fetal stage is from the beginning of the 9th week after fertilization and continues until birth"; "First Trimester", American Pregnancy Association, 1 May 2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Development of the human body" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Kail, "Human Development: A Lifespan View", Cengage Learning, 2010, p. 296; "Teenage Growth & Development: 11 to 14 Years", Palo Alto Medical Foundation/pamf.org; "Teenage Growth & Development: 15 to 17 Years", Palo Alto Medical Foundation/pamf.org; "Puberty and adolescence", University of Maryland; Marshall (1986), pp. 176–177; Tanner, 1990.; "Relative weight and race influence average age at menarche: results from two nationally representative surveys of US girls studied 25 years apart", Pediatrics, April 2003, p. 844–85 en.wikipedia.org
- Open Library record, ISBN 9780470917770 ("Principles of anatomy & physiology"). CC0 (metadata); book content not read. openlibrary.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Development of the human body (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Development of the human body (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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