In comparison to the epitheliochorial placenta, the endothelial placenta is slightly less complete in that the maternal epithelial cell layer (endometrial epithelium) and basal laminae are degraded such that the maternal capillaries present in the connective tissue traditionally found behind the basal laminae are in direct contact with the fetal membranes (chorionic epithelium) of the placenta. This reduces the length of the diffusion path between the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta.