Endoscope image of the human foetus in the womb after approximately 10 weeks development, showing the hands & face with the emerging features of the m

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Endoscope image of the human foetus in the womb after approximately 10 weeks development, showing the hands & face with the emerging features of the mouth & nostrils. Formation of the face really begins after the 4th week of embryonic development, when the brain is separated from the rest of the head by a plate of bone & the nose & mouth are one opening: a layer of skin folds to form the beginning of the nostrils & another layer grows downwards to initiate development of the upper lip. If the 2 halves of the upper lip & palate do not fuse between 6 & 9 weeks there is a risk of a hare lip or cleft palate resulting.

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Size: 3456px × 4884px
Photo credit: © EDELMANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 10, body, endoscope, endoscopy, fetus, foetal, human, image, mouth, nose, nostrils, ten, week, weeks