At what stage of fetal development are fingers and toes visible?

Fingers and toes begin to become visible during the 8th week of fetal development. At this stage, the basic structures of the limbs are developed enough that individual digits can be recognized, although they may still appear webbed or not fully formed. This visibility of fingers and toes marks a significant milestone in embryonic development, indicating that the fetus is transitioning from the embryonic to the fetal stage, where further maturation occurs. By this time, many fundamental systems and structures are already in place, allowing for the distinction of digits as the limbs grow and become more defined. In earlier weeks, such as 4 or 5 weeks, limb buds are present but the differentiation into fingers and toes has not yet occurred. By the 12th week, while fingers and toes are definitely present, the question specifically asks for the stage at which they first become visible, which is why the 8th week is the correct answer.