ABSTRACT
A study was performed to observe the sequential morphological change of the human placental barrier by means of light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The examined placentas ranged in age from 4 weeks gestation to the full-term(40 weeks). Sixty seven placental specimens were obtained immediately after delivery. With the progression of gestation, the microvilli on the surface of syncytinum tended to be fewer, shorter and blunter. The syncytiotrophoblasts were getting thinner with formation of vasculo-syncytial membrane. The cytotrophoblasts formed a continuous layer which progressively disappeared but still present in the mature villi. In view of presence of intermediate cells and remnant of desmosomes, the cytotrophoblasts appeared to form the syncytiotrophoblasts. In early pregnancy, capillary formation took place by the aggregation and differentiation of the proliferation and aggregation of endothelial cells and pericytes. Myofibroblasts in villous stroma were examined by desmin immunohistochemical staining, and detected from 19 weeks to the full-term. During last period of pregancy definitive smooth muscle cells could be demonstrated, suggesting that the presence of myofibroblasts or smooth muscle cells are closely related to the placental maturity. Scanning electron microscopy of the early placenta showed numerous syncytial sprouts representing stages in the formation of new villi, but in the late period of gestation syncytial sprouts were diminished. It is concluded that the syncytiotrophoblast is originated from the cytotrophoblast in early pregnancy as the placental barrier is formulated. Moreover, myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in villous stroma play important role in placental maturation.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Encephalocele is a relatively rare congenital anomaly which is classified into occipital, parietal, anterior syncipital and anterior basal type regarding to the protrusion site through the bony defect of the skull. Anterior basal type of encephalocele is important in view of it's pathogenesis as well as diagnostic difficulty because of invisibility on external appearance. We have experienced a case which could be best fit to anterior basal encephalocele. This type of encephalocele is extremely rare. This report deals with a case of deadborn of 34 weeks of gestation with body weight of 2400gm and head circumference of 32 cm. There was no evidence of protrusion of brain on external examination. On autopsy the normal brain structure was compressed by abnormal mass of brain with normal consistency which was found in the petrous portion of the parietal area and covered partly by the dura. In this case, there were another associated anomalies, such as atrophy of the left optic nerve, hemihypoplasia of the left mandible, patent ductus arteriosus, bilateral hydrocele, and Meckel's diverticulum.
ABSTRACT
As increasing concern for the fetal aspects of pregnancy, the availability of normal standard of placenta becomes more and more important. because it is very difficult to test the functional capacity of placenta. And for this reason anatnmic studies to determine the normal relationship between the placenta and newborn infant have come to be a considerable importance. A study of morphometric features of 4,000 consecutive placentas delivered at the Seoul National University Hospital during a period of 3 years, from April 1979 to May 1982, in relation to gastational age and weight of newborn was carried out. The findings could be summarized as follows: 1) Among 4,000 consecutive deliveries there were 3,771 liveborns 76 deadborns, and 153 cases of abortion, respectively. 2) The average weight and dimensions of term placenta were 511 gm and 19.94 x17.09 x1.89 cm, respectively. The weight , size and volume of placenta were progressively increased from 20 weeks of gestation till 41 weeks. 3) Morphometric features of placenta such as placenta weight, dimension, fetoplacental ratio and placental co-efficient showed a more significant correlation with birht weight than with gestation age. 4) The average length of umbilical cord was 39.80 cm, with the range of 6 cm to 124 cm. 5) The congenital anomalies of newborn was encountered in 74 cases (1.85%) among 4,000 consecutive deliveries. Anomalies involving musculoskeletal system was the most common oen. 6) The abnormal gross findings among 4,000 consecutive placentas included 6 cases of single umbilical arteries, 4 cases of chorangioma, 545 cases of infarction and 748 cases of calcification.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Infant , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , HumansABSTRACT
Meningeal tumor obstructing the foramen magnum is relatively rare, moreover occurrence of such a tumor in children has rarely been reported. This tumor shows various characteristic clinical manifestations, partly from anatomical standpoint and partly from unknown mechanism. In addition, not uncommon remitting and relapsing clinical course often presents diagnostic conflicts. We experienced a case of basilar groove meningioma presenting many difficult problems in the diagnosis and treatment, which was confirmed at operation and subsequent autopsy in a child.