FETAL PLACENTA Meaning and
Definition
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The fetal placenta, also known as the placenta or simply placenta, refers to a vital organ that develops during pregnancy in female mammals, including humans. It forms within the uterus, specifically on the uterine wall, and is responsible for facilitating the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste between the mother and the developing fetus.
The fetal placenta is made up of both maternal and fetal tissues. On the maternal side, it consists of thousands of tiny projections called villi that are embedded in the uterine wall. These villi are rich in blood vessels, allowing the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus. Simultaneously, waste and carbon dioxide from the fetus are transferred to the mother's bloodstream to be eliminated.
On the fetal side, the placenta is connected to the fetus via the umbilical cord, which contains two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the fetus to the placenta for disposal.
In addition to its role in nutrient and waste exchange, the fetal placenta also produces important hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which supports the pregnancy and helps maintain the uterine lining.
Overall, the fetal placenta plays a crucial role in sustaining the growth and development of the fetus throughout gestation, ensuring optimal conditions for the baby's well-being and preparing for delivery.
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The portion composed of the chorion which contains the blood-vessels of the fetus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FETAL PLACENTA
- fetal placen4a
- fetal placenda
- fetal placenpa
- fetal placenva
- fetal placenua
- fetal placenti
- fetal placente
- fetal placentc
- fetalplasenta
- fetalplascenta
- f etal placenta
- fe tal placenta
- fet al placenta
- feta l placenta
- fetal pl acenta
- fetal pla centa
- fetal plac enta
- fetal place nta
- fetal placen ta
- fetal placent a
Etymology of FETAL PLACENTA
The term "fetal placenta" does not have a specific etymology by itself, as it consists of two separate words: "fetal" and "placenta". Let's look at the etymology of each word individually:
1. Fetal: The word "fetal" comes from the Latin word "fētālis", meaning "pertaining to offspring". It is derived from the Latin word "fētus", meaning "fetus" or "offspring".
2. Placenta: The word "placenta" has its roots in the Latin language as well. It is derived from the Latin word "placenta", which means "flat cake" or "layered cake". It was used to describe the appearance of the placenta.
When combined, the term "fetal placenta" simply refers to the placenta specifically related to the fetus during pregnancy.
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