Describe in brief the structure and function of placenta?
Answers
Placenta is a collective set of special tissues which is composed of maternal and fetal segment.
It is a temporary part in the uterus of the mother, which is delivered out of the body when baby is born.
Structure:
-Placenta is in the shape of a flat disc.
-It is developed from parts called as chorion and allantois.
-It is found attached to the wall of uterus and connected to the fetus via umbilical cord.
-It has tree like branches called villi and are connected at the point called cotyledons on mother's organ.
Functions:
-Primary role is to feed the fetus. It transmits the nutrition from mother's blood to the embryo.
-Excretion of unwanted stuff is carried out.
-It also acts as a protective membrane and provides immunity.
Structure and function of placenta:
A structure that is formed with the combination of tissues from the foetus and the mother, that surrounds the developing embryo is termed as the placenta. It primarily formed during pregnancy which starts from the umbilical cord and ends with the foetus.
It has certain important functions such as attachment of the developing embryo system to the wall of the uterus, nourishes the developing foetus with nutrients from the mother, helps in exchanging the waste products from the foetus, transporting blood, glucose and other minerals from the mother to the foetus.