Embryology · USMLE Step 1

USMLE Embryology: Early Development and Germ Layers

Fertilization through gastrulation, the three germ layers, and their tissue derivatives, one fact per card.

34 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

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Fertilization normally occurs in the ____ of the uterine (fallopian) tube.
ampulla
What reaction alters the zona pellucida immediately after fertilization to block additional sperm from entering the oocyte?
The cortical (zona) reaction.
What is the chromosome number of a normal human zygote?
46, diploid (2N).
What term describes the rapid mitotic divisions of the zygote that occur without an overall increase in size?
Cleavage.
What solid ball of blastomeres results from cleavage?
The morula.
Around what day after fertilization does the morula enter the uterine cavity?
Day 3 to 4.
What is the fluid-filled cavity that forms inside the morula, converting it into a blastocyst?
The blastocele (blastocyst cavity).
Which outer cell layer of the blastocyst gives rise to the placenta?
The trophoblast.
Which cluster of cells inside the blastocyst gives rise to the embryo proper?
The inner cell mass (embryoblast).
Around what day after fertilization does implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium occur?
Day 6.
Into which two layers does the trophoblast differentiate?
Cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast.
Which trophoblast layer is mitotically active and retains distinct cell boundaries?
The cytotrophoblast.
Which trophoblast layer is invasive, lacks distinct cell boundaries, and secretes hCG?
The syncytiotrophoblast.
hCG secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast maintains which ovarian structure during early pregnancy?
The corpus luteum.
During week 2, the inner cell mass reorganizes into a bilaminar germ disc made of which two layers?
Epiblast and hypoblast.

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