Lecture 52: Fetal Membranes and Placenta

Question 1

outline the roles of the placenta

Answer 1

• protection
• -> prevents most microorganisms from reaching fetus
• nutrition
• -> provide nutrients from maternal circulation (also stores nutrients for release if required; Ca+, Fe, carbs and prots)
• respiration
• -> exchange of O2 and CO2 w/ maternal circulation (fetal lungs)
• excretion
• -> removal of waste products from fetal to maternal blood and excreted by maternal kidneys
• endocrine
• -> placenta takes over progesterone and oestrogen function from corpus luteum

Question 2

outline the decidua reaction

Answer 2

• CT reaction of endometrium that occurs after implantation
• prepares major maternal component of placenta; decidua
• progesterone induced ^ vascular swelling stromal (CT) cells w/ accumulation of glycogen granules that provides source of nourishment for early embryo
• progressive sprouting and ingrowth of capillaries

Question 3

what is the decidua

Answer 3

maternal endometrium in pregnancy