Module
10
Icon module 10
Fetal membranes and placenta

Anatomy of the placenta

In order to understand the chronological development of the chorionic villi it is important to have a comprehensive overview of placental anatomy. In this diagram, the placenta is roughly four months old and various fundamental structures can be recognized, namely the umbilical cord, the amnion, the chorionic plate, the already advanced branching of the villi, the basal plate and the cotyledon.

Fig. 13 - Placenta at around the fourth month
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  1. Umbilical cord
  2. Amnion
  3. Chorionic plate
  4. Intervillous space (maternal blood)
  5. Basal plate
  6. Cotyledon
  7. Villus

Legend
Fig. 13

Schematic diagram of the placenta at around the fourth month in a sagittal section.

NB: Zone A corresponds to the interactive diagram of this module.

At birth, the placenta consists of two parts:

  • maternal portion
  • fetal portion
Fig. 14 - maternal side
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  1. Cotyledon
  2. Cut edge of the amnion

Fig. 15 - fetal side
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3
Umbilical cord
4
Decidua with the compact layer after the release of the placenta

Legend
Fig. 14

Placenta: View from the maternal side

Fig. 15

Placenta: view from the fetal side

Fig. 16 - Placenta: the maternal side
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  1. Cotyledon
  2. Cut edge of the amnion

Fig. 17 - Placenta: the fetal side
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3
Umbilical cord

Legend
Fig. 16

From the maternal side the placenta has a wrinkled surface, characterized by the cotyledons.

Fig. 17

From the fetal side, the placenta is smooth and shiny. Notice the normal, central insertion of the umbilical cord in this case.

© Institut de pathologie, CHUV, Lausanne