Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?AnatomyFunctionComplicationsSigns of ProblemsTestsAfter Pregnancy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is It?

Anatomy

Function

Complications

Signs of Problems

Tests

After Pregnancy

What Is the Placenta?

Maternal Component of the Placenta

This is the portion of the placenta that is formed of the mother’s endometrium or the maternal uterine tissue. It forms what is called the decidua basalis, or maternal placenta.

Fetal Component of the Placenta

This part of the placenta includes the:

Where Does the Placenta Form?

The placenta forms in the uterine wall where the fertilized egg implants. It typically sits along the back uterine wall—about 6 cm from the cervix—occasionally accessing the side walls throughout its course of development.However, it can also attach to the front, top, and sides of the uterus.

Anatomical Variations

Not every placenta forms regularly. There are a number of other commonly identified abnormalities, such as:

What Does the Placenta Do?

The placenta performs many critical roles including:

What Complications Can Affect the Placenta?

Aside from the developmental abnormalities listed above, the placenta may also be subject to a number of medical conditions that may be of concern to healthcare professionals. Oftentimes, the core of the problem has to do with the position of this organ. Among these are the following:

Signs of Placenta Problems

Signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with the placenta include:

Throughout the course of pregnancy, your healthcare provider will perform a wide range of tests to ensure the health of the fetus. When it comes to ensuring proper development of the placenta, the following imaging tools may be used:

What Happens to the Placenta After Pregnancy?

Summary

The placenta is an essential organ that provides food and oxygen to the fetus during pregnancy. It is made up of the chorion, amnion, and umbilical cord. The largest fetal organ, the placenta undergoes rapid development over the course of pregnancy.

A number of conditions can affect the placenta, including anatomical variations, placental insufficiency, placenta previa, and more. Some of these conditions can be very serious and potentially life-threatening. To improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy, it’s important to receive early and regular prenatal care.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Human Placenta Project: How does the placenta form?NHS.What complications can affect the placenta?Hapugoda S, Jha P.Placenta: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Placenta development: embryology. University of New South Wales.MedlinePlus.Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord.Kim SM, Kim JS.A review of mechanisms of implantation.Dev Reprod. 2017;21(4):351-359. doi:10.12717/DR.2017.21.4.351Matsuzaki S, Ueda Y, Matsuzaki S, et al.Relationship between abnormal placenta and obstetric outcomes: a meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2023;11(6):1522. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061522Krishna U, Bhalerao S.Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2011;61(5):505-511.Better Health Channel.Placental abruption.Fadl S, Moshiri M, Fligner CL, Katz DS, Dighe M.Placental imaging: normal appearance with review of pathologic findings.RadioGraphics. 2017;37(3):979-998. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160155NHS.Delivering your placenta.

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Human Placenta Project: How does the placenta form?NHS.What complications can affect the placenta?Hapugoda S, Jha P.Placenta: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Placenta development: embryology. University of New South Wales.MedlinePlus.Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord.Kim SM, Kim JS.A review of mechanisms of implantation.Dev Reprod. 2017;21(4):351-359. doi:10.12717/DR.2017.21.4.351Matsuzaki S, Ueda Y, Matsuzaki S, et al.Relationship between abnormal placenta and obstetric outcomes: a meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2023;11(6):1522. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061522Krishna U, Bhalerao S.Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2011;61(5):505-511.Better Health Channel.Placental abruption.Fadl S, Moshiri M, Fligner CL, Katz DS, Dighe M.Placental imaging: normal appearance with review of pathologic findings.RadioGraphics. 2017;37(3):979-998. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160155NHS.Delivering your placenta.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institutes of Health.Human Placenta Project: How does the placenta form?NHS.What complications can affect the placenta?Hapugoda S, Jha P.Placenta: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Placenta development: embryology. University of New South Wales.MedlinePlus.Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord.Kim SM, Kim JS.A review of mechanisms of implantation.Dev Reprod. 2017;21(4):351-359. doi:10.12717/DR.2017.21.4.351Matsuzaki S, Ueda Y, Matsuzaki S, et al.Relationship between abnormal placenta and obstetric outcomes: a meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2023;11(6):1522. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061522Krishna U, Bhalerao S.Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2011;61(5):505-511.Better Health Channel.Placental abruption.Fadl S, Moshiri M, Fligner CL, Katz DS, Dighe M.Placental imaging: normal appearance with review of pathologic findings.RadioGraphics. 2017;37(3):979-998. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160155NHS.Delivering your placenta.

National Institutes of Health.Human Placenta Project: How does the placenta form?

NHS.What complications can affect the placenta?

Hapugoda S, Jha P.Placenta: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.

Hill M.Placenta development: embryology. University of New South Wales.

MedlinePlus.Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord.

Kim SM, Kim JS.A review of mechanisms of implantation.Dev Reprod. 2017;21(4):351-359. doi:10.12717/DR.2017.21.4.351

Matsuzaki S, Ueda Y, Matsuzaki S, et al.Relationship between abnormal placenta and obstetric outcomes: a meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2023;11(6):1522. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061522

Krishna U, Bhalerao S.Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2011;61(5):505-511.

Better Health Channel.Placental abruption.

Fadl S, Moshiri M, Fligner CL, Katz DS, Dighe M.Placental imaging: normal appearance with review of pathologic findings.RadioGraphics. 2017;37(3):979-998. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160155

NHS.Delivering your placenta.

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