Fetal Development: A Comprehensive Guide for Medical Students

Question 1

During embryonic development, the three primary germ layers formed are the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Which germ layer gives rise to the development of the epidermis and the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Answer

Endoderm

Question 2

Cell migration, which is the movement of cells from one location to another, is an essential process during embryonic development. What is the term for this process?

Accepted Answer

Cell migration

Answer

Cell proliferation

Answer

Cell differentiation

Question 3

The neural tube, which gives rise to the central nervous system, forms during a specific period of embryonic development. In which week of gestation does neural tube formation typically occur?

Accepted Answer

4th week

Answer

3rd week

Answer

5th week

Question 4

At the end of the first trimester, the approximate weight of a fetus is:

Accepted Answer

100 grams

Answer

10 grams

Answer

500 grams

Answer

1000 grams

Question 5

Which hormone plays a crucial role in fetal lung maturation?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 6

Fertilization typically occurs during which stage of the menstrual cycle?

Accepted Answer

Ovulatory phase

Answer

Follicular phase

Answer

Luteal phase

Answer

Ischemic phase

Question 7

The formation of the three primary tissue layers in the developing embryo is known as:

Accepted Answer

Gastrulation

Answer

Neurulation

Answer

Organogenesis

Answer

Histogenesis

Question 8

Which structure is derived from the ectoderm?

Accepted Answer

Brain

Answer

Heart

Answer

Liver

Answer

Pancreas

Question 9

Which imaging modality is commonly used for monitoring fetal growth and development?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 10

What is a unique feature of fetal circulation?

Accepted Answer

The presence of the foramen ovale in the heart

Answer

A faster heart rate than adults

Answer

The absence of a functional left ventricle

Question 11

During the embryonic period (weeks 3-8), which key milestone involves the formation of the basic body plan and the three primary germ layers?

Accepted Answer

Differentiation of germ layers

Answer

Placentation

Answer

Organogenesis

Answer

Fetal circulation establishment

Question 12

The process of embryo attachment to the uterine lining, enabling nutrient exchange, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Implantation

Answer

Gastrulation

Answer

Organogenesis

Answer

Fetogenesis

Question 13

Which of the following structures, such as the skin and nervous system, develops from the ectoderm?

Accepted Answer

Skin and nervous system

Answer

Liver

Answer

Heart

Answer

Lungs

Question 14

Which hormone is essential for sustaining pregnancy by maintaining the uterine lining and preparing for childbirth?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Testosterone

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT generally considered a risk factor for fetal abnormalities?

Accepted Answer

Maternal age under 35

Answer

Smoking during pregnancy

Answer

Unbalanced diet

Answer

Genetic disorders

Question 16

The process by which the baby is delivered from the mother's uterus is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Delivery

Answer

Labor

Answer

Gestation

Answer

Implantation

Question 17

Fetal circulation is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Mixed oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flow to the heart

Answer

Direct oxygenated blood flow to the heart

Answer

Direct deoxygenated blood flow to the heart

Answer

Fully oxygenated blood flow to all organs

Question 18

What is the primary mechanism by which the fetus receives nutrients during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion across the placenta

Answer

Active transport across the placenta

Answer

Ingestion of amniotic fluid

Answer

Maternal blood circulation

Question 19

When do the fetal lungs typically begin to produce surfactant, a substance essential for breathing?

Accepted Answer

28th week of gestation

Answer

12th week of gestation

Answer

20th week of gestation

Answer

34th week of gestation

Question 20

What is the term for the formation of the optic vesicles, which will eventually develop into the eyes?

Accepted Answer

Organogenesis

Answer

Gastrulation

Answer

Neurulation

Answer

Differentiation

Question 21

What is the primary method used to monitor fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Amniocentesis

Answer

Chorionic villus sampling

Answer

Fetal heart rate monitoring

Question 22

Which germ layer forms the central nervous system, skin, and sensory organs?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Answer

Endoderm

Question 23

Which hormone plays a crucial role in promoting the development of the respiratory system's branching patterns?

Accepted Answer

Insulin-like growth factor

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Cortisol

Question 24

What process involves the development of the fetal membranes and placenta?

Accepted Answer

Placentation

Answer

Blastulation

Answer

Gastrulation

Question 25

Which structure facilitates the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the mother and fetus?

Accepted Answer

Placenta

Answer

Umbilical cord

Answer

Amniotic sac

Question 26

What term describes the distinct formation of digits (fingers and toes) during fetal development?

Accepted Answer

Digitation

Answer

Differentiation

Answer

Ossification

Question 27

Which structure's presence suggests an increased risk for neural tube defects in the developing fetus?

Accepted Answer

Notochordal plate

Answer

Neural crest

Answer

Meninges

Question 28

During the third week of gestation, which structure develops from the primitive streak?

Accepted Answer

Notochord

Answer

Neural tube

Answer

Amniotic sac

Answer

Placenta

Question 29

At what gestational age does the fetus typically reach a crown-rump length of 5 cm?

Accepted Answer

8 weeks

Answer

6 weeks

Answer

10 weeks

Answer

12 weeks

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the fetal circulatory system?

Accepted Answer

Presence of fully developed pulmonary circulation

Answer

Presence of a foramen ovale

Answer

Existence of a ductus arteriosus

Answer

Presence of a functional shunt

Question 31

During the second trimester of pregnancy, what is the primary source of nutrients for the fetus?

Accepted Answer

Placenta

Answer

Amniotic fluid

Answer

Maternal blood

Answer

Yolk sac

Question 32

Which of the following organs begins to function during the third trimester of fetal development?

Accepted Answer

Lungs

Answer

Liver

Answer

Kidneys

Answer

Heart

Question 33

What is the average weight of a full-term fetus?

Accepted Answer

3500 grams

Answer

2500 grams

Answer

3000 grams

Answer

4000 grams

Question 34

Which hormone plays a primary role in inducing the onset of labor?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Prostaglandins

Question 35

Which of the following primary germ layers gives rise to the skin, brain, and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Answer

Endoderm

Answer

Trophoblast

Question 36

Approximately when does the fetal heart begin to beat?

Accepted Answer

4 weeks

Answer

8 weeks

Answer

6 weeks

Answer

12 weeks

Question 37

Which hormone plays a primary role in maintaining pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Oxytocin

Question 38

What mechanism facilitates the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the mother and fetus?

Accepted Answer

Placental circulation

Answer

Fetal circulation

Answer

Umbilical circulation

Answer

Maternal circulation

Question 39

Which neurotransmitter is crucial for fetal brain development and learning?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 40

What is the typical length of a human pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

40 weeks

Answer

44 weeks

Answer

36 weeks

Question 41

During which stage of fetal development does the fetus begin producing urine that contributes to the amniotic fluid volume?

Accepted Answer

18 weeks gestation

Answer

24 weeks gestation

Answer

12 weeks gestation

Answer

32 weeks gestation

Question 42

During which trimester of pregnancy does the fetus experience the most rapid weight gain?

Accepted Answer

Third trimester

Answer

Weight gain is consistent throughout pregnancy

Answer

First trimester

Answer

Second trimester

Question 43

Which sensory system is the least mature at birth?

Accepted Answer

Vision

Answer

Smell

Answer

Touch

Answer

Hearing

Question 44

A newborn presents with cyanosis due to a ventricular septal defect (VSD). This defect results from incomplete closure of which fetal structure?

Accepted Answer

Interventricular foramen

Answer

Ductus venosus

Answer

Ductus arteriosus

Answer

Foramen ovale

Question 45

Meconium, the first stool of a newborn, is primarily composed of:

Accepted Answer

Amniotic fluid, bile, and shed cells

Answer

Bacteria and intestinal enzymes

Answer

Undigested milk products

Answer

Blood and intestinal mucus

Question 46

The major organ systems are primarily formed during which period of fetal development?

Accepted Answer

First trimester

Answer

Third trimester

Answer

Second trimester

Answer

Organogenesis is complete by week 20

Question 47

Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, result from:

Accepted Answer

Incomplete closure of the neural tube by the end of the fourth week of gestation

Answer

Incomplete closure of the neural tube by the end of the first trimester

Answer

Incomplete closure of the neural tube by the end of the second trimester

Answer

Incomplete closure of the neural tube by the end of the eighth week of gestation

Question 48

A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. The most appropriate next step in management is:

Accepted Answer

Immediate evaluation with a non-stress test (NST) and biophysical profile (BPP)

Answer

Reassurance and scheduling a routine prenatal visit

Answer

Ordering a fetal ultrasound to check for growth restriction

Question 49

A severe limb deformity in a fetus at 20 weeks gestation likely resulted from disruption of:

Accepted Answer

Limb bud formation

Answer

Heart development

Answer

Neural tube closure

Answer

Placental formation

Question 50

A significantly reduced amount of amniotic fluid at 32 weeks gestation is most likely to result in:

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary hypoplasia

Answer

Neural tube defects

Answer

Gastrointestinal malformations

Answer

Congenital heart defects

Question 51

A newborn infant is diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Failure of the pleuroperitoneal membranes to fuse

Answer

Abnormal development of the heart

Answer

Incomplete closure of the neural tube

Answer

Disruption of the umbilical cord

Question 52

A pregnant woman is concerned about the effects of alcohol consumption on her developing fetus. Which of the following fetal developmental stages is most susceptible to the teratogenic effects of alcohol?

Accepted Answer

First trimester

Answer

Second trimester

Answer

Third trimester

Answer

Postnatal period

Question 53

A newborn infant presents with microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities. The mother had a history of viral infection during pregnancy. Which of the following viruses is most likely to have caused these developmental abnormalities?

Accepted Answer

Zika virus

Answer

Hepatitis B virus

Answer

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Answer

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Question 54

A pregnant woman at 36 weeks gestation presents with premature rupture of membranes. Which of the following is the most likely consequence for the fetus?

Accepted Answer

Preterm delivery

Answer

Congenital heart defects

Answer

Neural tube defects

Answer

Diaphragmatic hernia

Question 55

A fetus at 28 weeks gestation is found to have a significant reduction in fetal movement. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Biophysical profile

Answer

Chorionic villus sampling

Answer

Amniocentesis

Question 56

A pregnant woman at 30 weeks gestation is diagnosed with preeclampsia. Which of the following fetal complications is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Fetal growth restriction

Answer

Neural tube defects

Answer

Congenital heart defects

Question 57

A pregnant woman is concerned about the potential risks of fetal exposure to environmental toxins. Which of the following environmental factors is known to have significant teratogenic effects?

Accepted Answer

Mercury

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Nitrogen

Question 58

A newborn infant is diagnosed with a cleft palate. Which of the following embryonic processes is most likely to have been disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Fusion of the palatal shelves

Answer

Development of the heart

Answer

Formation of the limbs

Answer

Closure of the neural tube