fetus

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Leonardo da Vinci: pen-and-ink studies of human fetus

umbilical cord formation

How a human embryo develops into a fetus

Discover

Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)

The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad

King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket

Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?

The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. (Civil War, Pennsylvania)

9 Worst Generals in History

Colorful winter sunset

What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?

Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics

10 Best Hockey Players of All Time

The Prado Museum facade at the Diego Velaszquez memorial. Established in 1819, the museum is considered the best collection of Spanish art and one of the world's finest collections of European art. Madrid, Spain

20 Paintings You Have to Visit at the Museo del Prado in Madrid

fetus: References & Edit History

More Articles On This Topic

Assorted References

abortion
- In pregnancy: Abortion
bioethics
- In bioethics: Traditional philosophical questions
cloning experiments
- In cloning: Reproductive cloning
- In cloning: Reproductive cloning
prenatal testing
- In prenatal testing
tort law subject
- In tort: Gray areas
ultrasound
- In pregnancy: Ultrasound

development

cardiovascular system
- In human cardiovascular system: Human fetal circulation
embryo
- In prenatal development: Developmental changes in the fifth to eighth weeks
excretory system
- In renal system: Biological considerations
fontanel
- In fontanel
height and weight increase
- In human development: Types and rates of human growth
hormonal control
- In animal development: Adaptations in mammals
immunity
- In immune system: IgG
nervous system
- In human nervous system: Reflex actions
nutritional requirements
- In therapeutics: Requirements in pregnancy
placenta
- In placenta
respiratory system
- In human respiratory system: Lung development
sexual differentiation
- In sexual differentiation
umbilical cord
- In umbilical cord

diseases and disorders

congenital
- In congenital disorder: Minor anomalies: abnormalities of the fetal stage
- In human disease: Diseases of genetic origin
diagnosis
- In childhood disease and disorder: Diagnosis and general considerations of treatment and prevention
- In childhood disease and disorder: Diseases transmitted through the placenta or due to placental dysfunction
erythroblastosis fetalis
- In erythroblastosis fetalis
fetal alcohol syndrome
- In fetal alcohol syndrome
hypothyroidism
- In hypothyroidism: Cretinism
teratogenicity
- In drug: Reproductive system drugs
- In pharmaceutical industry: Adverse reactions

pregnancy and childbirth

In birth: Second stage: expulsion

cesarean sections
- In cesarean section

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Modified title of Web site: British Medical Journal - BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine - Spotlight on the fetus: how physical activity during pregnancy influences fetal health: a narrative review.	Emily Rodriguez	Dec 24, 2024
	Add new Web site: CORE - Stress pre-birth How the fetus is affected by a mothers state of mind.	Gloria Lotha	Jul 12, 2024
	Add new Web site: MSD Manual - Consumer Version - Stages of Fetal Development.	Gloria Lotha	May 29, 2023
	Add new Web site: British Medical Journal - BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine - Spotlight on the fetus: how physical activity during pregnancy influences fetal health: a narrative review.	Emily Rodriguez	Oct 08, 2022
	Add new Web site: Cassiobury Court - A-Z Guide to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).	Marco Sampaolo	Jun 14, 2016
	Add new Web site: Cassiobury Court - A-Z Guide to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).	Marco Sampaolo	Jun 14, 2016
	Added information on human fetal genome sequencing.	Kara Rogers	Jun 08, 2012
	Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Health - How A Fetus Grows.	Shiveta Singh	Oct 16, 2008
	Article revised and updated.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Jan 03, 2008
	Added new Web site: The Visible Embryo.	Marco Sampaolo	May 30, 2006
	Added new Web site: The Visible Embryo.	Marco Sampaolo	May 30, 2006
	Article added to new online database.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Jul 20, 1998