Preserved Human fetus

By SOKHA HY 
Personal Blog

In June 09, we went to Ontario Science Centre as we had planned. Even thought we did not have enough to go over all 6 floors but I found and interesting section is,  Preserved Human Fetus. Photo below will show you the developed size of fetus in its 10 weeks, 12 weeks and 20 weeks. 

Photo By SOKHA HY@ Ontario Science Centre
10 weeks fetus

At 10 weeks, the fetus has the beginnings of all the key body parts. See how the head is about half the body length? The brain is developing rapidly. It is 350 times the size it was as a fertilized egg and will grown 4.5 times bigger over the next 10 weeks. Any flexing of tiny arms and legs is still too small for mom to feel. 

Photo By SOKHA HY@ Ontario Science Centre
12 weeks fetus

At 12 weeks, the fetus is nearly double its 10 week size. Can you see the developing blood vessels and organs through the skin? An ultrasound can now detect heartbeat and sex. Can you see if it's a boy or a girl? Notice the arms are nearly the right proportion, but the legs aren't yet. Swallowed amniotic fluid is peed out and swallowed again. 

Photo By SOKHA HY@ Ontario Science Centre
20 weeks fetus

At 20 weeks, you can see ears. They're in place, but unable to hear for several more weeks. Notice the body's downy "fur"? Called lanugo, it help hold the vernix, a waxy protective coating during birth. In the next 20 weeks, the fetus readies to face the world: bones harden, weight increases brown fat builds up under the skin, and lungs produce surfactant.