Placenta

Definition

The placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy, connecting the developing fetus to the uterine wall. It facilitates nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The placenta produces hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to maintain pregnancy.
2. It acts as a barrier to some infections but not all.
3. The placenta is expelled from the body after childbirth in a process called the delivery of the afterbirth.
4. Blood from the mother and fetus do not mix directly within the placenta.
5. Nutrient and waste exchange occur through structures called villi.

Review Questions

• What are two primary functions of the placenta?
• Which hormone produced by the placenta is crucial for maintaining pregnancy?
• How does nutrient and waste exchange occur between mother and fetus?

Related terms

Umbilical Cord: A tube-like structure that connects the fetus to the placenta, allowing nutrient transfer and waste removal.

Amniotic Sac: A fluid-filled sac surrounding and protecting a developing fetus in utero.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): A hormone produced by the placenta shortly after implantation; it supports pregnancy by maintaining progesterone production.