English

Alternative forms

• (UK, hypercorrect) foetal
• (UK, obsolete, hypercorrect) fœtal
• (obsolete) phoetal, phœtal
• (obsolete) fætal

Adjective

fetal ‎(not comparable)

1. (embryology) Pertaining to, or connected with, a fetus.

   fetal circulation

   fetal membranes

Usage notes

The form fetal is preferred in North America and in the scientific community, whereas foetal is still commonly used in Commonwealth nations.

Synonyms

• zygotal

Coordinate terms

• gametal, zygotal, blastocystic, blastular

Translations

References

• “fetal” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).

Portuguese

Adjective

fetal m, f ‎(plural fetais, comparable)

1. fetal (pertaining to fetuses)

Related terms

• feto

Spanish

Adjective

fetal m, f ‎(plural fetales)

1. fetal