Placental Development and Support of the Fetal Brain

  • An understanding of normal placental development and function is critical for comprehending fetal brain development, as many fetal brain lesions involve placental dysfunction.

Structure and Function of the Placenta

  • The placenta is comprised of both fetal and maternal tissues and has two separate circulations:
    • Maternal uteroplacental circulation
    • Fetoplacental circulation
  • Functional units for fetal-maternal exchange:
    • Terminal branches of chorionic villi, which include:
      • Outer syncytiotrophoblast layer (contact with maternal blood)
      • Inner cytotrophoblast layer
      • Basement membrane
      • Endothelial cells of fetal vessels
  • Placental functions include:
    • Nutrient transport and waste excretion
    • Anchoring and integration of the fetus with maternal circulation
    • Immune suppression to prevent maternal rejection
    • Synthesis of endocrine/growth factors
    • Epigenetic programming
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Information
Published:02 May 2025
Modified: 02 May 2025