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Placental histology
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Under the microscope, the placenta is organized around chorionic villi, branching structures made from fetal tissue. Picture slender branches bathed in maternal blood: fetal blood flows through capillaries inside each branch, while exchange takes place across its outer surface.
This architecture brings the two circulations extremely close and creates more area for oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and wastes to cross. Even so, maternal and fetal blood remain in separate compartments and do not mix directly.
In brief
Placental histology centers on chorionic villi, branching projections that form the fetal portion and extend into maternal tissue. Each villus contains fetal tissue and blood vessels connected to the circulation of the umbilical cord.
Maternal blood surrounds the outer surface of the villi, while fetal blood flows through capillaries inside them. This arrangement expands the contact area for exchanging gases, nutrients, and wastes while keeping the two bloodstreams separate.
Fetal branches bathed in maternal blood.
Sources (1)
- OpenStax, Rice University28.2 Embryonic DevelopmentPublished
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