Morula

Encyclopedia : M : MO : MOR : Morula

Blastulation. 1 - morula, 2 - blastula.

A morula (Latin "morus", mulberry) is an embryo at an early stage of embryonic development, consisting of approximately 12-32 cells (called blastomeres). The morula is produced by embryonic cleavage, the rapid cell division of the zygote. The morula is a solid ball of cells; the inner blastomeres are called the "inner cell mass" and the blastomeres on the surface are called the "outer cell mass." The blastomeres change their shape and tightly align themselves against each other to form a compact ball of cells. This is called compaction and is likely mediated by cell surface adhesion glycoproteins.

In mammals the morula travels to the uterus around 3-4 days after fertilization, and at about 4 days after fertilization a fluid-filled space called the blastocystic cavity appears and the morula becomes a "blastocyst."

Mammalian embryogenesis/Embryology and Fetal development - [http://encycl.opentopia.com/ edit]

Embryo/Carnegie stages: Zygote | Morula | Blastula/Blastomere/Blastosphere | Gastrula/Gastrulation | Neurula | Fetus General: Archenteron | Blastopore | Hensen's node | Germ layer (Ectoderm, Endoderm, Mesoderm) | Histogenesis | Organogenesis | Branchial arch (1st) | Meckel's cartilage | Somite/Somitomere | Thyroglossal duct | Vitelline duct Circulatory system: Primitive atrium | Primitive ventricle | Bulbus cordis | Truncus arteriosus | Ostium primum | Foramen ovale | Ductus venosus | Ductus arteriosus | Aortic arches | Septum primum | Septum secundum | Cardinal veins Nervous system: Neural development/Neurulation | Neural folds | Neural groove | Neural tube | Neural crest | Neuromere | Notochord | Optic vesicles | Optic stalk | Optic cup Digestive system: Foregut | Midgut | Hindgut | Proctodeum | Rathke's pouch | Septum transversum Urinary/Reproductive system: Urogenital folds | Urethral groove | Urogenital sinus | Kidney development (Pronephros | Mesonephros | Ureteric bud | Metanephric blastema) | Fetal genital development (Wolffian duct | Müllerian duct | Gubernaculum | Labioscrotal folds) Uterine support: Placenta | Umbilical cord (Umbilical artery, Umbilical vein, Wharton's jelly) | Amniotic sac (Amnion, Chorion) | Yolk sac | Allantois | Trophoblast (Cytotrophoblast | Syncytiotrophoblast | Gestational sac)

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