Primitive heart tube

Definition

The primitive heart tube is the early developmental stage of the heart, consisting of a simple tubular structure that eventually forms the chambers and structures of the adult heart. It begins to form in the embryo around the third week of pregnancy, marking the initial phase of cardiovascular development.

Related terms

Cardiac looping: The process by which the primitive heart tube undergoes bending and elongation to form the distinct regions of the heart.

Endocardial cushions: These are thickened areas of tissue in the fetal heart that contribute to the formation of septa (walls dividing the heart) and valves, ensuring proper blood flow direction within the mature heart.

Septation: This refers to the division of the heart chambers by septa during fetal development, resulting in four separate chambers in a fully developed adult heart