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Placenta - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:43, 12 July 2011
, 13:43, 12 July 2011→Introduction
The formation of the placenta is referred to as the "second" or "embryonic" period of pregnancy (after the implantation period) and describes the establishment of a fully functional placenta. The placenta is an apposition of foetal and parental tissue for the purposes of physiological exchange. There is little mixing of maternal and foetal blood, and for most purposes the two can be considered as separate.
The formation of the placenta is referred to as the "second" or "embryonic" period of pregnancy (after the implantation period) and describes the establishment of a fully functional placenta. The placenta is an apposition of foetal and parental tissue for the purposes of physiological exchange. There is little mixing of maternal and foetal blood, and for most purposes the two can be considered as separate.
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The placenta can be thought of as a "symbiotic parasite", unique to mammalia. The placenta provides an interface for the exchange of gases, food and waste. It also facilitates the de novo production of fuel substrates and hormones and filters potentially toxic substances.
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The placenta has two distinct seperate compartments; the fetal side consisting of the trophoblast and chorionic villi and the maternal side consisting of the decidua basalis.
==Formation==
==Formation==