Embryonic heart

Embryonic Heart

The Embryonic Heart is the primitive structure that eventually develops into a fully formed heart in an embryo. It begins to form soon after fertilization, during the process of embryogenesis.

Formation

The formation of the embryonic heart begins with the gastrulation process, where the blastocyst transforms into a multi-layered structure known as the gastrula. The heart is one of the first organs to form and function in the embryo. The process of heart formation, or cardiogenesis, involves the migration of cardiac precursor cells to the midline of the embryo, where they form the cardiac crescent.

Structure

The embryonic heart initially forms as a simple tube, known as the heart tube, which then undergoes a series of complex transformations to form a four-chambered heart. This process is known as cardiac looping. The heart tube is initially a straight structure, but it soon begins to bend and fold upon itself, forming the basic structure of the mature heart.

Function

The embryonic heart begins to beat and pump blood around day 21 or 22 in the human embryo, even before the structure of the heart is fully formed. This early function of the embryonic heart is crucial for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the developing embryo.

Developmental Disorders

Abnormalities in the formation and development of the embryonic heart can lead to congenital heart defects, which are among the most common types of birth defects. These can range from simple defects, such as hole in the heart, to more complex conditions, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

See Also

• Heart Development
• Cardiac embryology
• Congenital heart defect