In order to know the meaning of the term embryology, it is necessary to proceed to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it derives from Greek, specifically it is the result of the sum of the following lexical components that come from the following language:
-The prefix «en-«, which means «within».
-The noun "brio", which is synonymous with "sprout".
-The word "logos", which can be translated as "study."
-The suffix "-ia", which is used to indicate "quality."
The concept is used with reference to the specialty of genetics focused on the analysis of the origin and growth of embryos .
An embryo is a living being in the early stages of its development . This stage begins with fertilization and extends until the individual reaches the morphological properties that characterize its species. In the case of humans , embryo is the name given to the gestating organism until the end of the third month of pregnancy .
Embryology, in short, specializes in everything related to the embryo. Its objective of study is embryogenesis (the formation and development of embryos). The starting point of his interest begins with fertilization, when a female gamete and a male gamete fuse to create a zygote . This cell, studied by embryology, is known as an embryo until it exceeds eight weeks of existence, when it begins to be called a fetus.
It can be said that embryology provides useful information about the beginning of human life and about various changes that occur before birth. That is why it is very important to know the variations in the structure of individuals and to detect and eventually correct genetic disorders.
In addition to everything stated above, we cannot ignore another series of relevant aspects about embryology, such as the following:
-It has become a really useful tool for pediatricians since they may have patients who precisely have congenital anomalies that occur during incorrect development and that can lead to their death.
-It is also considered that embryology has come to fill the empty gap that existed between sciences or disciplines such as clinical anatomy and pediatrics, obstetrics , prenatal development, perinatal medicine ...
-No less important is that it is very useful when it comes to knowing not only the development of human life but also the alterations and modifications that occur throughout the so-called prenatal growth.
-It must be established that there are three types of embryology: modern, chemical and comparative, which, as its name indicates, proceeds to compare embryos of all types of living beings.