Amniotic sac

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Amniotic sac
Anatomical terminology

The amniotic sac, also called the bag of waters [1] [2] or the membranes, [3] is the sac in which the embryo and later fetus develops in amniotes. It is a thin but tough transparent pair of membranes that hold a developing embryo (and later fetus) until shortly before birth. The inner of these membranes, the amnion, encloses the amniotic cavity, containing the amniotic fluid and the embryo. The outer membrane, the chorion, contains the amnion and is part of the placenta. On the outer side, the amniotic sac is connected to the yolk sac, the allantois, and via the umbilical cord, the placenta. [4]

Contents

The yolk sac, amnion, chorion, and allantois are the four extraembryonic membranes that lie outside of the embryo and are involved in providing nutrients and protection to the developing embryo. [5] They form from the inner cell mass; the first to form is the yolk sac followed by the amnion which grows over the developing embryo. The amnion remains an important extraembryonic membrane throughout prenatal development. The third membrane is the allantois, and the fourth is the chorion which surrounds the embryo after about a month and eventually fuses with the amnion. [6]

Amniocentesis is a medical procedure where fluid from the sac is sampled during fetal development, between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, to be used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections. [7]

Structure

Amniotic cavity in human embryo 1.3 mm. long Gray31.png
Amniotic cavity in human embryo 1.3 mm. long

The amniotic cavity is the closed sac between the embryo and the amnion, containing the amniotic fluid. The amniotic cavity is formed by the fusion of the parts of the amniotic fold, which first makes its appearance at the cephalic extremity and subsequently at the caudal end and sides of the embryo. As the amniotic fold rises and fuses over the dorsal aspect of the embryo, the amniotic cavity is formed.[ citation needed ]

Development

Bilaminar embryonic disc and amniotic cavity at implantation site Bilaminar-embryonic-disc-at-14-days-in-the-implantation-site-in-endometrium.png
Bilaminar embryonic disc and amniotic cavity at implantation site

At the beginning of the second week, a cavity appears within the inner cell mass, and when it enlarges, it becomes the amniotic cavity. The floor of the amniotic cavity is formed by the epiblast. Epiblast migrates between the epiblastic disc and trophoblast. In this way the epiblastic cells migrate between the embryoblast and trophoblast. The floor is formed by the epiblast which later on transforms to ectoderm while the remaining cells which are present between the embryoblast and trophoblast are called amnioblasts (flattened cells). These cells are also derived from epiblast which is transformed into ectoderm.[ citation needed ]

The amniotic cavity is surrounded by an extraembryonic membrane, called the amnion. As the implantation of the blastocyst progresses, a small space appears in the embryoblast, which is the primordium of the amniotic cavity. Soon, amniogenic (amnion-forming cells) called amnioblasts separate from the epiblast and line the amnion, which encloses the amniotic cavity. [8]

The epiblast forms the floor of the amniotic cavity and is continuous peripherally with the amnion. The hypoblast forms the roof of the exocoelomic cavity and is continuous with the thin exocoelomic membrane. This membrane along with hypoblast forms the primary yolk sac. The embryonic disc now lies between the amniotic cavity and the primary yolk sac. Cells from the yolk sac endoderm form a layer of connective tissue, the extraembryonic mesoderm, which surrounds the amnion and yolk sac.[ citation needed ]

Birth

If, after birth, the complete amniotic sac or big parts of the membrane remain coating the newborn, this is called a caul.

When seen in the light, the amniotic sac is shiny and very smooth, but tough.

Once the baby is pushed out of the mother's uterus, the umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic sac are pushed out in the after birth.

Function

The amniotic sac and its filling provide a liquid that surrounds and cushions the fetus. It is a site of exchange of essential substances, such as oxygen, between the umbilical cord and the fetus. [9] It allows the fetus to move freely within the walls of the uterus.[ citation needed ] Buoyancy is also provided.

Clinical significance

Chorioamnionitis is inflammation of the amniotic sac ( chorio- + amnion + -itis ), usually because of infection. It is a risk factor for neonatal sepsis.

During labor, the amniotic sac must break so that the child can be born. This is known as rupture of membranes (ROM). Normally, it occurs spontaneously at full term either during or at the beginning of labor. A premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a rupture of the amnion that occurs prior to the onset of labor. An artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), also known as an amniotomy, may be clinically performed using an amnihook or amnicot in order to induce or to accelerate labour.

The amniotic sac has to be punctured to perform amniocentesis. [10] [11] This is fairly routine procedure, but can lead to infection of the amniotic sac in a very small number of cases. [12] Infection more commonly arises vaginally. [12] [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amniocentesis</span> Sampling of amniotic fluid done mainly to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities

Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used primarily in the prenatal diagnosis of genetic conditions. It has other uses such as in the assessment of infection and fetal lung maturity. Prenatal diagnostic testing, which includes amniocentesis, is necessary to conclusively diagnose the majority of genetic disorders, with amniocentesis being the gold-standard procedure after 15 weeks' gestation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amnion</span> Innermost membranous sac that surrounds and protects the developing embryo

The amnion is a membrane that closely covers the human and various other embryos when first formed. It fills with amniotic fluid, which causes the amnion to expand and become the amniotic sac that provides a protective environment for the developing embryo. The amnion, along with the chorion, the yolk sac and the allantois protect the embryo. In birds, reptiles and monotremes, the protective sac is enclosed in a shell. In marsupials and placental mammals, it is enclosed in a uterus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chorion</span> Outermost fetal membrane around the embryo in amniotes

The chorion is the outermost fetal membrane around the embryo in mammals, birds and reptiles (amniotes). It develops from an outer fold on the surface of the yolk sac, which lies outside the zona pellucida, known as the vitelline membrane in other animals. In insects, it is developed by the follicle cells while the egg is in the ovary. Some mollusks also have chorions as part of their eggs. For example, fragile octopus eggs have only a chorion as their envelope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blastocyst</span> Structure formed around day 5 of mammalian embryonic development

The blastocyst is a structure formed in the early embryonic development of mammals. It possesses an inner cell mass (ICM) also known as the embryoblast which subsequently forms the embryo, and an outer layer of trophoblast cells called the trophectoderm. This layer surrounds the inner cell mass and a fluid-filled cavity known as the blastocoel. In the late blastocyst the trophectoderm is known as the trophoblast. The trophoblast gives rise to the chorion and amnion, the two fetal membranes that surround the embryo. The placenta derives from the embryonic chorion and the underlying uterine tissue of the mother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trophoblast</span> Early embryonic structure that gives rise to the placenta

The trophoblast is the outer layer of cells of the blastocyst. Trophoblasts are present four days after fertilization in humans. They provide nutrients to the embryo and develop into a large part of the placenta. They form during the first stage of pregnancy and are the first cells to differentiate from the fertilized egg to become extraembryonic structures that do not directly contribute to the embryo. After blastulation, the trophoblast is contiguous with the ectoderm of the embryo and is referred to as the trophectoderm. After the first differentiation, the cells in the human embryo lose their totipotency because they can no longer form a trophoblast. They become pluripotent stem cells.

Oligohydramnios is a medical condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds the fetus in the abdomen, in the amniotic sac. It is typically diagnosed by ultrasound when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) measures less than 5 cm or when the single deepest pocket (SDP) of amniotic fluid measures less than 2 cm. Amniotic fluid is necessary to allow for normal fetal movement, lung development, and cushioning from uterine compression. Low amniotic fluid can be attributed to a maternal, fetal, placental or idiopathic cause and can result in poor fetal outcomes including death. The prognosis of the fetus is dependent on the etiology, gestational age at diagnosis, and the severity of the oligohydramnios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amniotic fluid</span> Fluid surrounding a fetus within the amnion

The amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid amniote. This fluid serves as a cushion for the growing fetus, but also serves to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products between mother and fetus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allantois</span> Embryonic structure

The allantois is a hollow sac-like structure filled with clear fluid that forms part of a developing amniote's conceptus. It helps the embryo exchange gases and handle liquid waste.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gestational sac</span> Cavity of fluid surrounding an embryo

The gestational sac is the large cavity of fluid surrounding the embryo. During early embryogenesis it consists of the extraembryonic coelom, also called the chorionic cavity. The gestational sac is normally contained within the uterus. It is the only available structure that can be used to determine if an intrauterine pregnancy exists until the embryo can be identified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yolk sac</span> Membranous sac attached to an embryo

The yolk sac is a membranous sac attached to an embryo, formed by cells of the hypoblast layer of the bilaminar embryonic disc. This is alternatively called the umbilical vesicle by the Terminologia Embryologica (TE), though yolk sac is far more widely used. In humans, the yolk sac is important in early embryonic blood supply, and much of it is incorporated into the primordial gut during the fourth week of embryonic development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epiblast</span> Embryonic inner cell mass tissue that forms the embryo itself, through the three germ layers

In amniote embryonic development, the epiblast is one of two distinct cell layers arising from the inner cell mass in the mammalian blastocyst, or from the blastula in reptiles and birds, the other layer is the hypoblast. It drives the embryo proper through its differentiation into the three primary germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm, during gastrulation. The amniotic ectoderm and extraembryonic mesoderm also originate from the epiblast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilaminar embryonic disc</span>

The bilaminar embryonic disc, bilaminar blastoderm or embryonic disc is the distinct two-layered structure of cells formed in an embryo. In the development of the human embryo this takes place by day eight. It is formed when the inner cell mass, also known as the embryoblast, forms a bilaminar disc of two layers, an upper layer called the epiblast and a lower layer called the hypoblast, which will eventually form into fetus. These two layers of cells are stretched between two fluid-filled cavities at either end: the primitive yolk sac and the amniotic sac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human embryonic development</span> Development and formation of the human embryo

Human embryonic development or human embryogenesis is the development and formation of the human embryo. It is characterised by the processes of cell division and cellular differentiation of the embryo that occurs during the early stages of development. In biological terms, the development of the human body entails growth from a one-celled zygote to an adult human being. Fertilization occurs when the sperm cell successfully enters and fuses with an egg cell (ovum). The genetic material of the sperm and egg then combine to form the single cell zygote and the germinal stage of development commences. Embryonic development in the human, covers the first eight weeks of development; at the beginning of the ninth week the embryo is termed a fetus. The eight weeks has 23 stages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypoblast</span> Embryonic inner cell mass tissue that forms the yolk sac and, later, chorion

In amniote embryology, the hypoblast is one of two distinct layers arising from the inner cell mass in the mammalian blastocyst, or from the blastodisc in reptiles and birds. The hypoblast gives rise to the yolk sac, which in turn gives rise to the chorion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fetal membranes</span> Amnion and chorion which surround and protect a developing fetus

The fetal membranes are the four extraembryonic membranes, associated with the developing embryo, and fetus in humans and other mammals. They are the amnion, chorion, allantois, and yolk sac. The amnion and the chorion are the chorioamniotic membranes that make up the amniotic sac which surrounds and protects the embryo. The fetal membranes are four of six accessory organs developed by the conceptus that are not part of the embryo itself, the other two are the placenta, and the umbilical cord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecting stalk</span> Embryonic structure

The connecting stalk, or body stalk, is an embryonic structure that is formed by the third week of development and connects the embryo to its shell of trophoblasts. The connecting stalk is derived from the extraembryonic mesoderm. Initially it lies caudally to the trilaminar germ disc, but, with subsequent embryonic folding, the body stalk assume a more ventral position. Progressive expansion of the amnion from the umbilical ring creates a tube with a covering of amniotic membrane with allantois and umbilical vessels as its content and mesoderm of the connecting stalk as the ground substance. This extraembryonic mesodermal ground substance forms the future Wharton's jelly. The amniotic membrane and its contents form the umbilical cord that connects the embryo and the placenta.

The extraembryonic membranes are four membranes which assist in the development of an animal's embryo. Such membranes occur in a range of animals from humans to insects. They originate from the embryo, but are not considered part of it. They typically perform roles in nutrition, gas exchange, and waste removal.

Reichert's membrane is an extraembryonic membrane that forms during early mammalian embryonic development. It forms as a thickened basement membrane to cover the embryo immediately following implantation to give protection to the embryo from the uterine pressures exerted. Reichert's membrane is also important for the maternofetal exchange of nutrients. The membrane collapses once the placenta has fully developed.

This glossary of developmental biology is a list of definitions of terms and concepts commonly used in the study of developmental biology and related disciplines in biology, including embryology and reproductive biology, primarily as they pertain to vertebrate animals and particularly to humans and other mammals. The developmental biology of invertebrates, plants, fungi, and other organisms is treated in other articles; e.g terms relating to the reproduction and development of insects are listed in Glossary of entomology, and those relating to plants are listed in Glossary of botany.

References

  1. ↑ Freshwater, Dawn; Masiln-Prothero, Sian (22 May 2013). Blackwell's Nursing Dictionary. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-118-69087-1 . Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Definition of BAG OF WATERS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Premature rupture of membranes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Larsen, WJ (2001). Human Embryology (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. p.  40. ISBN   0-443-06583-7.
  5. ↑ Wolpert (2015). Principles of development (Fifth ed.). Oxford, United Kingdom. p. 666. ISBN   978-0-19-967814-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ↑ Carlson, Bruce M. (2014). "Placenta and Extraembryonic Membranes". Human Embryology and Developmental Biology. pp. 117–135. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4557-2794-0.00007-3. ISBN   978-1-4557-2794-0.
  7. ↑ "Amniocentesis". nhs.uk. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  8. ↑ Moore, Keith L. (2020). The developing human : clinically oriented embryology (Eleventh ed.). Edinburgh. p. 37. ISBN   9780323611541.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ↑ Jarzembowski, J.A. (2014). "Normal Structure and Function of the Placenta". Pathobiology of Human Disease. pp. 2308–2321. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-386456-7.05001-2. ISBN   978-0-12-386457-4.
  10. ↑ Wilde, Colin; Out, Dorothée; Johnson, Sara; Granger, Douglas A. (2013). "Sample Collection, Including Participant Preparation and Sample Handling". The Immunoassay Handbook. pp. 427–440. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-097037-0.00029-4. ISBN   978-0-08-097037-0.
  11. ↑ Carlson, Bruce M. (2014). "Fetal Period and Birth". Human Embryology and Developmental Biology. pp. 453–472. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-2794-0.00018-8. ISBN   978-1-4557-2794-0.
  12. 1 2 Jefferson, Kimberly K. (2012). "The Bacterial Etiology of Preterm Birth". Advances in Applied Microbiology Volume 80. Vol. 80. pp. 1–22. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-394381-1.00001-5. ISBN   978-0-12-394381-1. PMID   22794142.
  13. ↑ Ariel, I.; Singer, D.B. (2014). "Placental Pathologies – Intrauterine Infections". Pathobiology of Human Disease. pp. 2360–2376. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-386456-7.05007-3. ISBN   978-0-12-386457-4.
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