PLACENTA FORMATION

🌿 PLACENTA FORMATION: 🌿

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy to provide oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal for the growing fetus.

🟣 1. EARLY DEVELOPMENT (WEEKS 1-4)

✅ Begins soon after fertilization.
✅ Trophoblast cells from the blastocyst invade the uterine lining.
✅ Two layers form:

• Cytotrophoblast (inner layer, supports growth).
• Syncytiotrophoblast (outer layer, invades uterus & secretes hCG).

🔵 2. CHORIONIC VILLI FORMATION (WEEKS 2-4)

✅ Finger-like chorionic villi develop from trophoblast cells.
✅ Villi increase surface area for exchange of nutrients & gases.
✅ Fetal blood vessels start forming inside the villi.

🟢 3. MATURATION OF THE PLACENTA (WEEKS 4-12)

✅ Maternal & fetal blood flow close but do not mix!
✅ Intervillous spaces fill with maternal blood.
✅ Placental barrier ensures selective exchange of substances.
✅ Produces hormones (hCG, progesterone, estrogen) to support pregnancy.

🟡 4. FULLY FUNCTIONAL PLACENTA (AFTER 12 WEEKS)

✅ Acts as the lungs, kidneys, and digestive system for the fetus.
✅ Provides oxygen, nutrients, & immune protection.
✅ Removes waste & CO₂ from fetal blood.

🔴 5. DELIVERY OF THE PLACENTA (AFTER BIRTH)

✅ After birth, the placenta detaches & is expelled as afterbirth.
✅ Umbilical cord is cut, marking the baby’s independence from the placenta.

💡 FUN FACTS!

✨ The placenta is the only temporary organ in the human body.
✨ It acts like a biological filter—allowing essential substances while blocking harmful ones.
✨ The maternal and fetal blood never mix under normal conditions.