histological study of human placental villi at different gestational ages by scanning electron microscopy

ABSTRACT

Five specimens were taken from normal full-term placentae immediately after delivery and other five were obtained from placentae at 10-14 weeks of gestation after therapeutic abortion. All specimens obtained were immersed in 4% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer and prepared to be examined by scanning electron microscopy. The study concluded that human placental villi was designed in a highly specialized pattern to allow a maximum absorptive capacity per surface area. This was achieved by a complete covering of villi by numerous microvilli, furrows in the villi to increase its surface area and an increased number of microvilli with age to face demands of growing fetus. Normal healthy placentae had no areas devoid of microvilli on the chorionic villous surface. The presence of such areas may be due to pathological conditions and most probably related to fetal biology and may have deleterious effect on the growing fetus