These pictures display the stages of a developing fetus.
Once a zygote is formed, it will undergo mitosis. The first embryonic stage is the morula which is a solid ball of undifferentiated cells. In time a blastula (a hollow ball of cells) will form, followed by the morula (the horseshoe stage) which cells will then begin to differentiate.
Below is a picture of the fetus at four weeks.
It is 6mm long which is approximately the size of a fingernail.
This picture displays the heart, backbone & head.

After six to seven weeks, the baby's arms,
hands, feet and eyes become apparent.

Below is a picture of a 9 week old embryo which
is 30 mm (about an inch) long.

This is a picture of an embryo 5 months mature.

Doctors use an ultrasound machine to view the
fetus within the mother's uterus.

Return to Animal Development Notes