What is the Difference Between Yolk Sac and Fetal Pole?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The yolk sac and fetal pole are two distinct structures that develop during early pregnancy. They are both located within the gestational sac in the uterus, but they serve different functions and have different appearances.
Yolk Sac:
- A small, round or pear-shaped pouch made of membranes
- Develops during the second week of gestation
- Nourishes the embryo and helps it develop
- One of the earliest structures visible in prenatal ultrasounds
Fetal Pole:
- An embryo in one of the first stages of development
- Curved in appearance, with a head (crown) at one end and a tail-like structure (rump) at the other
- Contains the developing embryo and provides information about the embryo's location, gestational age, possible complications, and the presence of any additional embryos
- In a healthy pregnancy, the fetal pole develops into a fetus
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the yolk sac is often seen next to the fetal pole in ultrasound images. The yolk sac primarily provides nutrients to the embryo, while the fetal pole represents the developing embryo itself.
Comparative Table: Yolk Sac vs Fetal Pole
The yolk sac and fetal pole are both present at the early stages of a healthy pregnancy, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the key differences between the yolk sac and fetal pole:
Feature | Yolk Sac | Fetal Pole |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Provides nutrients to the embryo | One of the first stages of embryo development |
Structure | Small pouch-like structure made from thin membranes | Curved structure with a head and tail-like structure |
Location | Develops inside the uterus in early pregnancy | Develops within the gestational sac in the uterus |
Development | Appears at approximately 5 weeks of gestation | Visible towards the end of the 5th week |
Measurements | Yolk sac size can be used to predict fetal sex | Fetal pole size is used to estimate gestational age |
In summary, the yolk sac is a structure that provides nutrients to the embryo, while the fetal pole is one of the first stages of embryo development that normally develops into a fetus.
- Yolk Sac vs Gestational Sac
- Fetal vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Embryo vs Fetus
- Male vs Female Fetus
- Chorion vs Placenta
- Embryo vs Zygote
- Gestational Age vs Fetal Age
- Blastocyst vs Embryo
- Animal Pole vs Vegetal Pole
- Placenta vs Umbilical Cord
- Oocyte vs Follicle
- Morula vs Blastula
- Fertilization vs Implantation
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Placenta vs Uterus
- Ovary vs Uterus
- Embryo Sac vs Endosperm
- Amniocentesis vs Chorionic Villus Sampling
- Hydatidiform Mole vs Ectopic Pregnancy