Placenta

The Placenta: Structure, Function, Uses, Disorders, and Recent Research Student Name Institutional Affiliation Course Code and Course Name Professor Date Introduction The placenta is a critical body organ that develops in a fetus during pregnancy to support its growth and maternal health. This organ links mother and fetus, enabling nutrient transfer, waste removal, and immune protection (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Even though it is only transitory, the placenta is vital to the success of pregnancy, and problems in its function can have serious consequences for both the mother and the fetus. This report explores function and the structure of the placenta, its medical and therapeutic uses, disorders affecting it, and recent research advancements. Structure and Function of the Placenta The placenta is a disc-shaped organ that attaches to the uterine wall and connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord. The placenta combines fetal chorionic villi with endometrial tissue. The maternal side implants itself into endometrial tissue, while chorionic villi handle the blood exchanges between maternal and fetal tissues. Some of the functions of the placenta include: * The fetus obtains needed oxygen and nutrients through the placental exchange while releasing carbon dioxide waste products from the body. The exchange maintains fetal development while making proper organ growth possible. Poor placental operation causes insufficient fetal growth, known as IUGR, resulting in early delivery or developmental problems for the baby. * The placenta produces three essential pregnancy hormones: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen for maintaining pregnancy and fetal development (Griffiths & Campbell, 2021). Hormonal production maintains maternal metabolic function while maintaining the uterine lining structure and preparing the maternal body for breastfeeding. * The placenta defends the fetus through passive immunity by sending maternal antibodies to defend against infections. The immune system developed by the placenta protects the fetus against pathogens and adjusts maternal immune responses to stop the rejection of the developing fetus as a foreign organism. * The barrier feature represents a selective defense system that allows beneficial components to pass through while blocking dangerous substances. The placental barrier effectively stops most substances from reaching the fetus, although harmful elements like alcohol and drugs, along with dangerous viruses, have adverse impacts on fetal wellness. Medical and Therapeutic Uses of the Placenta After serving pregnancy functions, the placenta has multiple medical and therapeutic applications in different medical fields. * The regenerative capabilities of tissue from placentas and stem cells make them appropriate for medical applications because they can develop into distinct cell types. Researchers currently study these cells for neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune condition treatment possibilities (Herrick & Bordoni, 2023). Wisdom gained from research indicates that placenta...