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Placenta and Amniotic Fluid Structure Function
Placenta and Amniotic Fluid Structure Function
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Fetal component- Chorionic frondosum
Maternal component- decidua basalis
Human placenta is
Discoid in shape
Haemochorial
Deciduate
Fleshy
Weight-500gm
Diameter- 15-20 cm
Thickness-2.5 cm
Spongy to feel
Occupies 30% of the uterine wall
Two surfaces- Maternal and fetal
4/5th of the placenta is of fetal origin
and 1/5 is of maternal origin
Umbilical cord is
attached at or near its
centre
Branches of the
umbilical vessels are
visible beneath the
amnion as they radiate
from the insertion of
the cord
Placenta is limited by
the amniotic membrane
on the fetal side and by
the basal plate on the
maternal
Amniotic
membrane- single layer
of cubical epithelium
loosely attached to
adjacent chorionic plate
and does not take part in
placental formation
Intervillous space:
It is lined internally on
all sides by the
syncytiotrophoblast
and is filled with
maternal blood
Endothelial lining of
fetal vessels
Connective tissue of
the villi
Basement
membrane
Cytotrophoblast
Syncytiotrophoblast
Most drugs can cross the placental barrier and some can
be teratogenic
FORMS-estriol,estradiol &estrone .
Estriol most important .
Levels increase throughout pregnancy
mammary gland.
the
Progestins, including
progesterone, have two major
roles during pregnancy:
Placenta
succenturiata (3%)
A leash of vessels
connecting the main to the
small lobe traverse through
the membranes
Morphology
Clinical significance
There are more chances of
Miscarriage
Hydrorrhoea gravidarum
Antepartum haemorrhage
Preterm delivery
Fetal growth restriction
Retained placenta or membrane
CompositionOrganic constituents
Proteins-0.3 mg/dl
Glucose- 20mg/dl
Urea- 30 mg/dl
Creatinine -2 mg/dl
Lipids- 50 mg/ dl
Physical features
Faintly alkaline
Low specific gravity-1.010
Becomes highly hypotonic to maternal
serum at term pregnancy
Osmolarity of 250 mOsmol/liter is
suggestive of fetal maturity
Colour
In early pregnancy it is colourless
At term becomes pale straw coloured
due to preence of exfoliated lanugo
and epidermal cells from fetal skin
During pregnancy
Act as a shock absorber to protect the fetus from external
injury
During Labour
It forms hydrostatic wedge to help dilatation of
cervix
Types
Acute- sudden increase
Chronic- gradual increase
Maternal
During pregnancy Incresed incidence of preeclampsia
Malpresentation
Preterm labour
Abruptio placentae
Cardiorespiratory embrassment
During labour
Premature rupture of membranes
Cord prolapse
Uterine inertia
PPH
Puerperium
Subinvolution
Puerperal sepsis
Fetal Complications
High perinatal mortality due to prematurity and congenital
malformations
Bed rest
Etiology
Diagnosis
FH<POG
The uterus is full of fetus because of
scanty liquor
Malpresentation is common
Complications
Fetal
Abortion
Adhesions due to intramniotic adhesions
Fetal pulmonary hypoplasia, cord
compression
Maternal
Prolonged labour due to inertia
Increased operative interference due to
malpresentation