Placenta: Overview, Anatomy, Function, Complications, Symptoms, Causes

Definition Of Placenta

The placenta is a vital organ that develops during pregnancy and acts as the interface between the mother and the fetus that is developing. In short, it takes over all the functions of the developing fetus, such as absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste products, and exchange of gases.

What Is Placenta?

The placenta is a temporary organ that grows in the uterus during pregnancy. It anchors the fetus developing in utero to the uterine wall and furnishes the region for the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between mother and fetus.

Structure Of The Placenta

The details are given below:

Chorionic Villus

• The placenta has many finger-like projections, called chorionic villi, which increase the surface area for exchange.

Maternal Blood Supply

• The placenta is richly supplied with maternal blood, which makes the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus easier.

Supply Of Blood To The Fetus

• Blood vessels on the fetal side of the placenta take deoxygenated blood away from the fetus and return oxygenated blood.

Placental Functions

The functions include:

Nutrient Transfer:

• The essential nutrients like glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids are passed on from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.

Exchanges Of Gases:

• Oxygen is transferred from maternal blood to fetal blood while carbon dioxide is removed from the fetus to the mother.

Waste Elimination:

• The placenta removes metabolic waste products from the fetal circulation.

Hormone Production:

• The placenta produces various hormones, hCG, progesterone, and estrogen, which play a very vital role in maintaining pregnancy.

Placental Barrier

The details are given below:

Selective Permeability:

• The placenta acts as a barrier. It selectively permits the passage of certain substances while preventing most of the harmful agents.

Immune Function:

• The placenta protects the fetus from the maternal immune system, thereby preventing the fetus' rejection.

Clinical Relevance Of The Placenta

The health of the placenta is essential for a healthy pregnancy. In conclusion, conditions such as placenta previa, placental abruption, and gestational diabetes are some conditions that may present risks to the mother and the fetus. During prenatal care, monitoring of the placental functioning should be essential.

Conclusion:

The placenta is an outstanding organ given its role in supporting fetal development. Having played a major role in supporting the healthy growth of the fetus throughout pregnancy through nutrient transfer, waste elimination, and gas exchange, it proves the need to understand its functions and possible complications that could develop for the health of both mother and fetus.

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