Curriculum of Obstetrics
TOPIC 2
PLACENTAL FUNCTIONS AND ABNORMALITIES
RATIONALE
The human placenta is a villous, hemochorial structure that is of critical importance in maternofetal transfer, has a complex synthetic capacity, and plays a fundamental role in the immunological acceptance of the fetal allograft. The placenta is usually attached to the upper uterine segment. The tissue that separates the maternal and fetal blood is called the placental barrier. It is important to know the functions of the placenta because its abnormalities may lead to major health and obstetric problems.
GOAL
Know the different placental functions and abnormalities
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
l List different placental functions including barrier function, nutritive, respiratory, execratory functions, and endocrine functions
l Describe various placental abnormalities and its implications on placental functions
CONTENT
l Placenta at term
l Function of placenta
l Placental abnormalities
l Placental insufficiency and its investigations
