Intestine Development

The Intestines are vital organs in all living animals.

1. Fetal intestine growth starts early in the pregnancy to support the fetus.
2. The intestines are fully formed by the fourth month of pregnancy.
3. During fetal growth the only fluids in the fetus's intestines are fluids from inside the womb.
4. Fetuses begin practicing the action of swallowing while in the womb.
5. When the fetus begins swallowing, intestine growth is triggered.
6. Substances that are swallowed are processed and past through the small and large intestines.
7. The swallowed substances are stored in the large intestine until after birth.
8. At 8 weeks the embryo's instestines begin to develop an umbilical cord.
9. Starting at 10 weeks the body is big enough to contain the intestines and the intestines move into the abdomen.
10. The gastrointestinal system will not be fully mature until three to four years after birth.
11. If there is an error in the development of the embryonic stem cells the cells will not be able to differentiate and will not be able to perform their specific job. 

By Emily Bartell