Placental anatomy + development Flashcards

1
Q

Placenta - significance in pregnancy

A
growth restriction - many due to placental insufficiency
spontaneous abortion, miscarriage
nutrition/oxygenation
prematurity
hemorrhage
preeclampsia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Implantation of placenta

A

requires 2 synchronous processes

  • uterine preparation (decidual reaction)
  • embryo development and ability to interact with endometrium

50% of all conceptions fail at this critical time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Uterine preparation for implantation

A

Proliferative phase: estrogen secreted by ovarian follicles–> endometrium proliferates and remodel

Secretory phase: thickening of endometrium and formation of glandular structures, increased vasculature
(increased levels of estrogen + progesterone)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Uterus - receptivity to implantation

A

limited time
8-10 days after LH surge = 6-7 d after ovulation
correlated to highest circulating levels of progesterone (“pro-gestation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Decidua regions

A

Decidua parietalis
Decidua capsularis
Decidua basalis

decidua parietalis/capsularis later join to form decidua vera as embryo grows

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Decidua parietalis

A

non-implantable site

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Decidua capsularis

A

thin capsule of endometrium covering developing embryo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Decidua basalis

A

implantation site

eventually becomes maternal portion of developing placenta

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Implantation of placenta

A

usually placenta implants in fundus

can be ectopic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

placenta previa

A

implantation over cervix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Blastocyst - implantation

A

day 5: blastocyst absorbs fluid, develops a fluid-filled cavity
inner cell mass: compacts to one side to form embryonic pole
fluid-filled cavity: blastocoele
outer cell mass: trophoblast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

stages of implantation

A

Apposition
Adhesion
Invasion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Apposition - implantation

A

microvilli on trophoblast interdigitate wiht pinopodes on apical surface of uterine epithelium
embryonic pole is oriented towards uterine epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Adhesion - implantation

A

increased physical interaction between blastocyst and uterine epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Invasion - implantation

A

blastocyst penetration of uterine epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Trophoblasts

A

outer cell mass of blastocyst
destined to become 2 cell types:
cytotrophoblasts
Syncytiotrophoblasts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Cytotrophoblasts

A

progenitor cells
villus cytotrophoblasts
extravillus cytotrophoblasts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Syncytiotrophoblasts

A

giant, multinuclear cells formed by fusion of cytotrophoblasts
terminally differentiated
invasion of endometrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Inner cell mass differentiation

A

into 2 layers
Epiblast
Hypoblast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Epiblast

A

extra-embryonic ectoderm

contribute to formation of amnion - forms amniotic cavity that surrounds entire embryo + fetus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Hypoblast

A

primitive endoderm
spreads to line inner surface of trophoblast
parietal endoderm gives rise to primary yolk sac
parietal endoderm together with later contributions from embryo –> extraembryonic mesoderm

hindgut endodermal cells migrate towards placenta to form allantois

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Chorion origin

A

mesoderm + cytotrophoblast

contributes to placenta vascularization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Umbilical cord origin

A

Allantois (from hindgut endoderm) + chorion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Amnion origin

A

extra-embryonic ectoderm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Yolk sac origin

A

parietal endoderm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Fetal components of the placenta

A
umbilical cord
amnion
lacunae
fetal placental vasculature
chorionic plate
basal plate
villi
cotyledon
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Maternal components of placenta

A

decidua
maternal placental vasculature (spinal arteries)
intervillous space filled with maternal blood

28
Q

Invasion of trophoblasts

A

1) invasion of endometrium by syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblast columns
2) lacunar spaces develop within syncytiotrophoblast layer (intervillus space)
3) cytotrophoblast columns extend to maternal spinal arteries
- extravillus cytotrophoblast advance into spinal arteries –> endovascular trophoblast
4) columns extend laterally and meet one another to form cytotrophoblast shell/basal surface
5) second wave of extravillus cytotrophoblast invasion into inner 1/3 of myometrium

29
Q

Villi in early pregnancy

A

maternal and fetal blood separated by 3 cell layers:

  • syncytiotrophoblasts
  • cytotrophoblasts
  • fetal capillary endothelium
30
Q

Villi in later pregnancy

A

villi become more branched and vascular
fetal vessels move to or eccentric location
cytotrophoblasts degenerate so maternal and fetal blood separated by 2 cell layers (syncytiotrophoblast, endothelium)
decreased distance between maternal and fetal circulations

31
Q

Spiral arter invasion

A

process of spiral artery invasion critical to development of maternal circulation in placenta
Remodelling of spiral arteries:
- converts tight, thick-walled muscular vessel into an open, capacitance vessel that can accommodate tremendous increase in maternal blood flow required to adequately nourish placenta + fetus

32
Q

Shallow cytotrophoblast invasion

A

increased risk of pre-eclampsia, abruptio placenta
maternal vessels not opened properly
fetal risks: hypoxia, malnutrition, growth restriction, stillbirth, prematurity

33
Q

Deep invasion of cytotrophoblasts - types

A

Placenta accreta (75-85%)
Placenta increata
Placenta percreta - invaded through serosa of uterus
Normal (decidua)
fetal risks of bleeding and prematurity
maternal morbidity of bleeding; may require hysterectomy at labour

34
Q

Pathologic deep invasion risk factors

A

Prior C-section/uterine surgery (sar becomes site of uncontrolled invasion)
Placenta previa - lower uterine segment implantation more likely to have deep invasion
Previa + prior uterine surgery:
- 1 prior C-section and current previa = 25% risk
- 2 prior C-section and current previa = 40% risk

Accreta often undiagnosed until delivery when you are unable to deliver placenta –> postpartum hemorrhage, hysterectomy, death (maternal death up to 7%)

35
Q

Uterine blood flow at term

A

700 ml/min

36
Q

Placental maturation

A

extensive branching of villi
increased surface area available for exchange
closer approximation of maternal + fetal blood flow
increased uterine blood flow - 10x increase overn on-pregnant uterus (700ml/min at term)

37
Q

Stem villi

A

support structure with central arteries + veins

38
Q

Terminal villi

A

final branch of villus tree, comprising 50% of villus surface area
extensive capillary network
major site of maternal-fetal exchange
bathed in well-oxygenated maternal blood that enters intervillous space from spinal arteries in decidua basalis
Maternal blood propelled into intervillous space in jet-like streams traveling upward to chorionic plate befoer percolating down through villi towards maternal venous drainage

39
Q

Anchoring villi

A

extend to maternal surface, spread laterally to meet and form cytotrophoblast shell/basal plate

40
Q

Fetal placental vasculature

A

blood from fetus enters placenta from 2 umbilical arteries that arise from fetal internal iliac arteries
Umbilical arteries + veins protected by Wharton’s jelly
Umbilical cord cord contacts chorionic plate in centre (usually) and then spread radial branches from umbilical arteries over fetal surface of placenta
Branches then divide vertically into stem and intermediate villi, ending in capillary network in terminal branches

41
Q

Placental components

A

umbilical cord
placental membranes (chorion, amnion)
placental disc - fetal surface, maternal surface, parenchyma (villus tissue)

42
Q

Umbilical cord

A

2 arteries + veins in Wharton’s jelly - provide cushion
Vein deliver oxygenated blood; artery deoxygenated back to placenta
Usually coiled with increasing cord length as pregnancy progresses
may insert centrally or eccentrically into disc (90%)
insertion within 1 cm of disc margin - 7%

43
Q

Central insertion of umbilical cord

A

more common

run protected in Wharton’s jelly until insertion into fetal surface of placental disc

44
Q

Velamentous insertion

A

inserts into placental membranes
2% of pregnancies
3 component vessel of cord run final distance to disc through membrane, unsupported by Wharton’s jelly
associated with reduced fetal growth/risk of rupture of fetal arteries

Vessels located over maternal cervix = vasa previa

45
Q

Vasa previa

A

umbilical vessels over maternal cervix
significant risk of fetal hemorrhage at labour and membrane rupture
if diagnosed antenatally, recommendation is for C-section for delivery prior to labour onset/rupture of membranes

46
Q

Placental membrane

A

Amnion + chorion

47
Q

Amnion

A

develops from inner cell mass
eventually covers umbilical cord, fetal surfaces of placenta and creates amniotic sac around fetus
multilayered with cuboidal epithelium lying on well-defined basement membrane
- deep to basement membrane are compact fibroblast and spongy layers

48
Q

Chorion

A

develops from chorionicerus opposite i villi on side of chorionic sac that is expanding into uterus
villi degenerate leaving smooth chorion that eventually expands to fuse with decidua parietalis on side of uterus opposite implanted embryo
multilayered comprising of cellular and reticular layer, pseudomembrane and trophoblast

49
Q

Normal placenta

A

should appear clear and non-cloudy

50
Q

Stained membranes

A

greenish black staining = meconium (fetal stool) passage in utero related to fetal stress/loss of sphincter tone
greenish-yellow staining may suggest ascending infection

51
Q

Placental membrane histology

A

cuboidal epithelium
basement membrane
compact fibroblast/spongy layers

52
Q

Placental disc

A

normal placenta increases in size throughout gestation
remains larger than fetus until ~16 weeks
at term: normal placenta weighs ~500 g, is 2-3 cm thick and 15-20 cm in diameter
placental disc divided into:
-fetal surface
-maternal surface
-parenchyma (villus tissue)

53
Q

Fetal surface of placenta

A

umbilical cord insertion
arborizing pattern, spreading out form/draining to umbilical cord
may identify fetal surface vessel thrombosis or hematoma

54
Q

maternal surface of placenta - gross

A

interfaces with uterus
normally a beef red colour
does not normally display organized clot
divided into concrete lobules or cotyledons that should be assessed for completeness at time of delivery

55
Q

Maternal surface of placenta - histology

A

maternal vessels within decidua

may yield information about maternal well-being

56
Q

Increased surface area for exchange

A

increases in cellular content and surface area until 36 weeks gestational age

57
Q

Closer approximation of maternal + fetal circulation

A

distance separating maternal and fetal blood diminished during gestation by:

  • decrease in cross sectional area of villi
  • movement of fetal vessels from a central villus location to mor eccentric one
  • decrease in thickness of syncytiotrophoblast
  • development of “vasculosyncytial membranes”: focal attenuation of trophoblast in close approximation to vessel wall
58
Q

Increased uterine blood flow

A

as pregnancy progresses, greater proportion of blood flow directed away from endometrium/myometrium and towards placental cotyledons
Near term: >90% of uterine blood flow to placenta

59
Q

Uterine contraction post-delivery

A

prevention of maternal hemorrhage
after delivery of fetus + placenta
normal vaginal delivery: mother might lose up to 500 ml of blood, but if uterus fails to contract can take only minutes at flow rate of 700ml/min to exsanguinate

60
Q

First trimester histology of placenta

A

large villi, covered in 2 layers of cells (cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast) with few centrally located vessels and abundant loose stroma

61
Q

Third trimester histology fo placenta

A

villi become smaller and highly vascular
fetal vessels moev to more eccentric location
cytotrophoblasts degenerate leaving single syncytiotrophoblast layer in close proximity to fetal capillary endothelium
fusion of fetal capillaries + syncytiotrophoblast occur in 3rd trimester –> vasculosyncytial membrane
In some areas syncytiotrophoblast draw up into “syncytial knots” –> significantly decrease distance between maternal/fetal circulations

62
Q

Factors that can modify placental maturation

A

Maternal nutrition
altitude
exercise
maternal disease - HTN, DM, ethanol, nicotine
Pregnancy progressing beyond term
–> reaches max size/surface area at 37 wks; beyond term met with decrease in placental function
- if fetus continues to grow, placenta-fetus ratio decreases
- increased incidence of perinatal morbidity and mortality

63
Q

Placental examination

A

every placenta should be examined grossly after delivery
thorough history of previous OB Hx, labour/delivery, early neonatal outcome
statement of indications
detailed gross exam, adequate microscopic exam and appropriate use of ancillary studies if required

64
Q

umbilical cord examination

A

length and diameter
insertion and vessel count
varicosity, false and true knots
areas of engorgement,torsion or deficiencies of Wharton’s jelly and changes in colouration

65
Q

Placental membrane examination

A

colouration
point of rupture
- position important in relationship to placenta/blood vessels, especially if some blood vessels travel on membranes unprotected
Damage to one of fetal blood vessels could lead to loss of fetal blood and potentially hypovolemia/shock/death

66
Q

Placental disc examination

A

contour
accessory lobes
dimensions, trimmed weight
Fetal surface - vascular pattern, thrombi, cysts, plaques
Maternal surface - completeness, fibrin, calcification, infarction
Cut surface: infarcts, fibrin, gross abnormality