BLASTOCYSTS Meaning and
Definition
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Blastocysts are developmental stages in the early embryonic development of some animals, including mammals. Specifically, blastocysts occur during the blastocyst stage, which typically transpires around five to six days after fertilization. In humans, blastocysts form after several rounds of cell division following fertilization of the egg by the sperm.
A blastocyst is characterized by its hollow, fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel, which is surrounded by a layer of cells known as the trophoblast. Within the blastocoel, the inner cell mass (ICM) is present; this mass contains cells that have the potential to differentiate into various types of tissues, ultimately forming the fetus.
Blastocysts play a crucial role in implantation, as they are responsible for attaching to the uterine lining and initiating pregnancy. They implant into the endometrium, beginning the formation of the placenta.
Blastocysts are important in fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), where fertilized embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage in a laboratory before being transferred to the uterus. This allows for better selection of viable embryos with a higher chance of successful implantation.
Overall, blastocysts represent a critical stage in embryonic development, serving as a crucial bridge between early cell divisions and the subsequent formation of specialized fetal tissues.
Common Misspellings for BLASTOCYSTS
Etymology of BLASTOCYSTS
The word "blastocyst" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from the combination of two words: "blastos" meaning "germ" or "embryo", and "kystis" meaning "bladder" or "cyst". In embryology, a blastocyst refers to a structure formed during the early stages of embryonic development, consisting of an inner cell mass and a fluid-filled cavity. The term was first coined in the mid-19th century to describe this particular stage of development.
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