Functions of the placenta

Publication date: Available online 25 May 2016 Source:Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine Author(s): Leo Donnelly, Gillian Campling The placenta is an ephemeral materno-fetal organ with chorionic (fetal) villi bathed in maternal blood spaces, which allows restricted transfer of metabolites and drugs across specialized transfer areas. The placenta develops respiratory, nutritive and excretory functions while the fetal organs mature, and is also an important endocrine organ.
Source: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research