ILOs:

• Summarise the development, structure and functions of a normal placenta in a healthy pregnancy
• Define the terms pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and fetal growth restriction
• Give a brief explanation of the implications of these disorders of pregnancy
• Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie pre-eclampsia
• Outline current clinical guidelines for the management of pre-eclampsia

Revision of Placental development and function

Anatomy Lecture: The Placenta

• Placenta formation
• Important features of blastocyst
• Development of the intervillous space

Gross anatomy of the placenta

• How much does the placenta weigh?
• Where does the umbillical cord insert?
• What are the vessels of the umbillical cord?
• what is found on the basal plate of the placenta?

Quiz

• After fertilisation, the nuclei of the ovum and the sperm combine and are transported through the uterine tube to the cavity of the uterus in around 3-4 days. Which structure implants into the endometrium of the uterus?
• What structure does the trophoblast give rise to?