What are the stages of fetal development in the correct order?

• A. Embryonic, fetal, pre-embryonic
• B. Fetal, pre-embryonic, embryonic
• C. Pre-embryonic, embryonic, fetal
• D. Embryonic, pre-embryonic, fetal

Answer: (C)

The stages of fetal development are correctly ordered as pre-embryonic, embryonic, and then fetal. The pre-embryonic stage occurs during the first two weeks after conception, where fertilization and the initial cell divisions take place. This is followed by the embryonic stage, which spans from the third week to the eighth week, during which the major organs and structures begin to form. Finally, the fetal stage starts from the ninth week of pregnancy and continues until birth, characterized by the growth and maturation of the already established organs. This sequential progression is crucial for proper development and each stage plays a vital role in the overall development of the fetus.