Implantation of the fertilized egg
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Implantation of the fertilized egg
About 6 days after fertilization, the egg has become a hollow ball of cells (blastocyst), which implants on the inside wall of the uterus (endometrium). After implantation, the blastocyst begins to develop into the:
- Embryo (the group of cells that will become the fetus).
- Sac that contains the embryo (the amniotic sac).
- Placenta, which allows oxygen and other substances to pass from the mother's blood to the embryo or fetus. The placenta also allows wastes to pass from the fetus to the mother's blood and then to her kidneys for elimination.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | November 30, 2006 |
| Last updated: | November 30, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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