The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
The amnion is an extremely thin tissue, or membrane. It encloses a developing embryo, and is present within the eggs of all vertebrates which live on land. The presence of the amnion creates a cavity, called the amniotic cavity. The amniotic cavity is filled with amniotic fluid, in which the embryo floats. This fluid serves to cushion and protect the tiny embryo, acting as a kind of shock absorber. The presence of this fluid surrounding the embryo also prevents the thin, delicate tissues ofthe embryo from drying out, at the same time preventing the embryo from sticking to the inside of the egg shell. The amniotic fluid also helps maintain the embryo in an environment with a consistent temperature.
The amnion is sometimes popularly called "the bag of waters." At some time during a human birth, this bag of waters bursts.