human fetus

Also known as foetus, fœtus, faetus, fætus, fetus, human foetus

A fetus or foetus (; : fetus, foetus, or fetuses, foetuses) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Prenatal development is a continuum, with no clear defining feature distinguishing an embryo from a fetus. However, in general a fetus is characterized by the presence of all the major body organs, though they will not yet be fully developed and functional, and some may not yet be situated in their final anatomical location.

AI overview

A human fetus is an unborn baby in the later stages of development, after the embryonic stage, when all major body organs are present though not yet fully formed or functional. Understanding fetal development matters because it helps medical professionals monitor the health and growth of pregnancies and track how an unborn child is progressing toward birth.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Human fetus 10 weeks with amniotic sac - therapeutic abortion.jpg

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Commons category: Human foetuses
NCI Thesaurus ID: C13235

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~16 min read

Article

19 sections

Contents

Etymology
Non-human animals
Development in humans
Weeks 9 to 16 (2 to 3.6 months)
Weeks 17 to 25 (3.6 to 6.6 months)
Weeks 26 to 38 (6.6 to 8.6 months)
Variation in growth
Fruit size comparison
Viability
Circulatory system
Before birth
Postnatal development
Immune system
Developmental problems
Fetal pain
Legal and social issues
See also
References
External links

In human prenatal development, fetal development begins from the ninth week after fertilization (which is the eleventh week of gestational age) and continues until the birth of a newborn.