Amniotic sac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (July 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Amniotic sac | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A drawing of the amniotic sac from Gray's Anatomy. | |
 |
|
| The amniotic sac opened during afterbirth examination. | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | s_01/12716695 |
The amniotic sac is the sac in which the fetus develops.
Some sources consider it to be equivalent to the amnion,[1][2], while other sources consider it to consist of the amnion and the chorion.[citation needed]
It is also called the amniotic bubble because of its resemblance to a bubble.[citation needed]
When in the light, the amniotic sac is shiny and very smooth, but too tough to pierce through.
Contents |
[edit] Amniotomy
An artificial rupture of membranes (ARM), also known as an amniotomy, may be performed by a midwife or obstetrician. This is usually performed using an amnihook and is intended to induce or accelerate labour.
[edit] Diversity
The presence of the amnion identifies humans and other mammals as amniotes, along with reptiles, dinosaurs, birds but not amphibians nor fish.
[edit] Amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid is the watery liquid surrounding and cushioning a growing fetus within the amnion. It allows the fetus to move freely without the walls of the uterus being too tight against its body. Buoyancy is also provided.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ amnion at eMedicine Dictionary
- ^ s_01/12716695 at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
[edit] External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||
