Abstract
A brief description is given of the significance of gross and histological abnormalities of the placenta. The question of placental ageing is discussed and the possible ill-effects of inflammation and immune-mediated damage to the placenta considered. Finally, the pathology of the utero-placental vasculature is outlined, and the view is expressed that most cases of apparent 'placental insufficiency' are, in reality, due to maternal vascular insufficiency.
MeSH terms
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Aging
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Basement Membrane / pathology
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Chorionic Villi / pathology
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Female
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Fetal Blood
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HLA Antigens / immunology
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Histocytochemistry
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Humans
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Hyperplasia
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Infant, Low Birth Weight
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Infant, Newborn
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Infarction / pathology
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Infections / pathology
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Organ Size
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Placenta / blood supply
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Placenta / immunology
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Placenta / pathology*
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Placenta Diseases / pathology*
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Placental Function Tests
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Pre-Eclampsia / pathology
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy, Prolonged
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Thrombosis / pathology