Human Fetus at Gestational Week 28 Without the Placenta

Description

Shown at approximately 28 weeks’ gestation, the conceptus is curled in a typical flexed fetal posture with the head slightly tilted and the upper and lower limbs drawn toward the trunk. Facial anatomy is the focal point: closed palpebral fissures with formed eyelids sit superior to the nose and philtrum, and the lips define the oral fissure; the auricles are well developed on the lateral aspects of the head. Smooth fetal skin contours the scalp, cheeks, and extremities, with the knees and elbows held in flexion and the hands positioned close to the face and chest. Absent placental tissue keeps attention on fetal morphology rather than maternofetal interfaces. Week 28 sits in the third trimester, when external landmarks correlate well with common antenatal imaging targets used for gestational age confirmation and anomaly screening. This view supports teaching of normal facial proportions and ear position, a frequent reference point when discussing craniofacial dysmorphism and syndromic patterns, and it pairs naturally with the sonographic “profile” and “orbits” assessments performed when cleft lip, micrognathia, or ocular abnormalities are suspected. Soft, directional lighting also mirrors the way subtle contour changes are judged on 3D/4D obstetric ultrasound. A clear baseline. Use this asset in embryology and obstetrics teaching modules to contrast placental versus fetal structures, or in medical publishing layouts discussing third-trimester growth, fetal positioning, and external developmental milestones. It also suits patient education materials that need an anatomically grounded, non-graphic visualization of a 28-week fetus without placenta. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.