FETUS

also spelled Foetus, the unborn young of any vertebrate animal, particularly of a mammal, after it has attained the basic form and structure typical of its kind. Biologists arbitrarily speak of the earliest stages of development of the fertilized egg as the embryonic period, which ends when the external form of the embryo begins to resemble clearly the newborn of the group to which it belongs. The next period, culminating in birth, is the fetal period. In human development this transition occurs in approximately the eighth week after conception. The fetal stage is characterized by increased growth and by the full development of the organ systems. Some fetal disorders may cause birth of the infant before term. If spontaneous expulsion occurs before the human fetus has reached a stage of development advanced enough to allow it to live outside the womb (20 to 22 weeks), it is spoken of as an abortion or, commonly, a miscarriage. Expulsion of a dead fetus thereafter is considered a stillbirth and of a living fetus a premature birth. Postmature birth is one occurring more than three weeks beyond the expected date of delivery.