Human Fetus at 22 Weeks in the Womb (Brown Skin)

Description

A fetus of approximately 22 weeks gestation lies in a flexed, curled attitude within the amniotic cavity, seen from the left side with the head presenting toward the lower field. The cranium is large in proportion to the trunk, the eyelids remain fused and closed, and the external ear shows a formed helix and lobule against the smooth, thin, richly vascularised skin. Upper limbs are flexed at the elbows with the hands brought toward the face and separated fingers visible, while the lower limbs are drawn up against the abdomen with the plantar surface and distinct toes turned outward. The umbilical cord emerges from the abdominal wall and courses posteriorly toward the placenta, whose maternal surface and branching chorionic vessels are seen applied to the uterine wall behind the fetus. At this point in the second trimester the fetus has crossed the conventional threshold of viability discussed in obstetric counselling, though lung development remains at the canalicular stage and survival outside the uterus is limited. Week 22 corresponds to the period when detailed anomaly ultrasound findings are reviewed, when fetal biometry, amniotic fluid volume and placental site and grade are assessed, and when Doppler evaluation of umbilical cord flow may be undertaken. The relationship between cord insertion, placental disc and uterine wall shown here underpins discussion of velamentous insertion, placenta praevia and cord accidents. The rendering suits obstetric and midwifery teaching, embryology and developmental anatomy courses, and antenatal patient education explaining what a baby looks like at the midpoint of pregnancy. It also serves publishers producing week-by-week pregnancy atlases, ultrasound training resources and editorial figures on fetal growth, and pairs directly with the week 20, 21 and companion week 22 images of this series. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.