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Handbook of Pediatric Autopsy Pathology pp 75–115Cite as

Examination of the Human Embryo

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Abstract

Adequate examination and evaluation of the products of conception can yield important information that may benefit future pregnancies. A study of the fertilized ova within the embryonic period shows that about 16% exposed to sperm fail to divide and another 15% fail to implant. Grossly abnormal embryos (27%) may be spontaneously aborted at previous stages (Table 1). Abortion is defined as the premature expulsion or removal of the conceptus from the uterus before it is able to sustain life on its own. Clinically, the term takes on many definitions such as threatened abortion, incomplete abortion, missed abortion, recurrent abortion, and induced/therapeutic abortion. Early spontaneous abortion occurs in the embryonic period up to the end of the 8th developmental week. Late spontaneous abortion occurs between the 9th and 20th wk of development.

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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, Florida

    Enid Gilbert-Barness AO, MBBS, MD, FRCPA, FRCPath, DSci(hc), MD(hc) (Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) (Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

  2. Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL

    Enid Gilbert-Barness AO, MBBS, MD, FRCPA, FRCPath, DSci(hc), MD(hc) (Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) & Diane E. Debich-Spicer BS (Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) & 

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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(2005). Examination of the Human Embryo. In: Gilbert-Barness, E., Debich-Spicer, D.E. (eds) Handbook of Pediatric Autopsy Pathology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-673-8:075

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-673-8:075

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-224-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-673-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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