Zaymiey

🔬 Biology  ·  Human Reproduction  ·  NEET

What is the amniotic fluid and what is its role?

Answer: Fluid surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac; provides cushioning against trauma, maintains temperature, allows fetal movement, and is swallowed by fetus to develop digestive system.

  • A Fluid that lubricates the birth canal mainly during the final stages of the childbirth delivery process, secreted by cervical glands under typical conditions according to standard textbooks
  • B Fluid surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac; provides cushioning against trauma, maintains temperature, allows fetal movement, and is swallowed by fetus to develop digestive system
  • C Fluid that is secreted mainly by the specialized trophoblast cells of the developing placenta tissue itself, separate from the amnion in general practice as frequently described in most textbook accounts
  • D Fluid whose main function throughout much of the pregnancy is the direct transport of nutrients toward the growing fetus via diffusion during normal conditions as generally observed

Correct answer: B. Fluid surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac; provides cushioning against trauma, maintains temperature, allows fetal movement, and is swallowed by fetus to develop digestive system

Explanation: Amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the fetus: (1) Mechanical cushion against trauma; (2) Temperature regulation; (3) Allows unrestricted fetal movement (essential for musculoskeletal development); (4) Fetus swallows it, developing digestive system; (5) Contains exfoliated fetal cells used in amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis.

Sagittal section of the human male reproductive system showing the testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, urethra, urinary bladder and penis

The human male reproductive system: sperm formed in the testis mature in the epididymis and travel via the vas deferens, mixing with secretions of the seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethral glands. Image: Wumingbai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Male and female reproductive systems, gametogenesis, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy, and reproductive health.

Read the full Human Reproduction notes →