Developmental Trajectories and Prenatal Development

A vocabulary set of key terms covering prenatal development, the germinal/embryonic/foetal stages, motor skills, and healthy relationships from the provided notes.

Fertilisation

The union of a sperm and an ovum forming a zygote.

Zygote

The single cell formed after fertilisation that begins embryonic development.

Morula

A solid ball of cells formed by the zygote after successive divisions (about day 3).

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of cells with an inner cell mass (becomes embryo) and an outer cell mass (forms placenta).

Implantation

The process by which the blastocyst attaches to the endometrium to establish pregnancy.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus where implantation occurs.

Placenta

Organ that develops to exchange oxygen and nutrients between mother and fetus; begins forming during pregnancy.

Germinal stage

Prenatal stage from conception to implantation (0–2 weeks).

Embryonic stage

Prenatal stage from 3–8 weeks when major organs develop; neural tube and heart begin beating; limb buds form.

Foetal stage

Prenatal stage from 9–38 weeks of gestation when growth and organ maturation occur.

Embryo

Developing baby from implantation until the end of the eighth week.

Foetus

Developing baby from the ninth week of gestation until birth.

Neural tube

Early development of the brain and spinal cord; forms during the embryonic stage.

Proximodistal pattern of development

Development from inside (near) to outside (far), e.g., trunk to limbs.

Gross motor skills

Large movements of the body, such as walking, running, and jumping.

Fine motor skills

Small, precise movements, such as writing, cutting with scissors, tying laces.

Sperm

Male sex cell (gamete).

Ovum

Female sex cell; ovum (ova when plural).

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and ovum) that fuse during fertilisation.

Folate

Vitamin B9; critical for neural tube development; deficiency increases risk of neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects

Birth defects of the brain or spine due to incomplete closure of the neural tube (e.g., spina bifida).

Spina bifida

A neural tube defect where the spinal column doesn’t close properly.

Teratogen

An agent that can cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities during prenatal development.

Prenatal risk factors

Factors that can negatively affect prenatal development (e.g., poor diet, smoking, alcohol). Protective factors (like folate) can mitigate risks.

UNCRC rights

Rights of the child outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (e.g., right to life, health, adequate standard of living).

Parenting styles

Four styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved; influence child wellbeing and decision-making.

Healthy relationship

A relationship characterized by equality, safety, respect, empathy, loyalty, trust, and honesty.

Unhealthy relationship

A relationship with abuse types (physical, sexual, emotional, financial) or social isolation.

Fertilisation

The union of a sperm and an ovum forming a zygote.

Zygote

The single cell formed after fertilisation that begins embryonic development.

Morula

A solid ball of cells formed by the zygote after successive divisions (about day 3).

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of cells with an inner cell mass (becomes embryo) and an outer cell mass (forms placenta).

Implantation

The process by which the blastocyst attaches to the endometrium to establish pregnancy.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus where implantation occurs.

Placenta

Organ that develops to exchange oxygen and nutrients between mother and fetus; begins forming during pregnancy.

Germinal stage

Prenatal stage from conception to implantation (0–2 weeks).

Embryonic stage

Prenatal stage from 3–8 weeks when major organs develop; neural tube and heart begin beating; limb buds form.

Foetal stage

Prenatal stage from 9–38 weeks of gestation when growth and organ maturation occur.

Embryo

Developing baby from implantation until the end of the eighth week.

Foetus

Developing baby from the ninth week of gestation until birth.

Neural tube

Early development of the brain and spinal cord; forms during the embryonic stage.

Proximodistal pattern of development

Development from inside (near) to outside (far), e.g., trunk to limbs.

Gross motor skills

Large movements of the body, such as walking, running, and jumping.

Fine motor skills

Small, precise movements, such as writing, cutting with scissors, tying laces.

Sperm

Male sex cell (gamete).

Ovum

Female sex cell; ovum (ova when plural).

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and ovum) that fuse during fertilisation.

Folate

Vitamin B9; critical for neural tube development; deficiency increases risk of neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects

Birth defects of the brain or spine due to incomplete closure of the neural tube (e.g., spina bifida).

Spina bifida

A neural tube defect where the spinal column doesn’t close properly.

Teratogen

An agent that can cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities during prenatal development.

Prenatal risk factors

Factors that can negatively affect prenatal development (e.g., poor diet, smoking, alcohol). Protective factors (like folate) can mitigate risks.

UNCRC rights

Rights of the child outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (e.g., right to life, health, adequate standard of living).

Parenting styles

Four styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved; influence child wellbeing and decision-making.

Healthy relationship

A relationship characterized by equality, safety, respect, empathy, loyalty, trust, and honesty.

Unhealthy relationship

A relationship with abuse types (physical, sexual, emotional, financial) or social isolation.

Health status

A person's overall physical and mental condition, often assessed through indicators like life expectancy and disease prevalence.

Burden of disease

A measure of the impact of diseases and injuries on a population, often expressed in DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years).

Health and wellbeing

A holistic state of an individual's physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being, enabling them to lead a full and productive life.

Social support

Help and assistance given by others, including practical aid, emotional comfort, and informational advice.

Emotional support

Providing comfort, reassurance, and empathy to someone experiencing distress or difficult emotions.

Physical development

Changes in body size, proportion, appearance, motor skills, and health over time.

Social development

The increasing complexity of behaviour patterns used in relationships with other people; learning to interact with others and form relationships.

Emotional development

The increasing ability to understand, express, and manage emotions, and to empathise with others.

The increasing complexity of processes in