Fetal Membranes, Placenta and Twinning

OBJECTIVES
1. The components of fetal membrane and their functions.
2. Structure and function of placenta 3. Composition of Placenta barrier

Fetal membrane overview

Originate from blastocyst, dont participate in the formation of embryo
Including:

1) Chorion
2) Amnion 3) Yolk sac

4) Allantois
5)Umbilical cord

Chorion
Formed by trophoblast +extraembryonic mesoderm

Chorion
Primary villi: cytotrophoblast+syncytiotrophoblast Secondary villi: extraembryonic mesoderm enter the
primary villi

Tertiary villi:

extraembryonic mesoderm =>CT+BV

Chorion frondosum-embryonic pole Chorion laeve-abembryonic pole

Function of Chorion
1) Exchange of metabolite:
portion of placenta (Chorion frondosum)

2) Hormone production:
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

Amnion
Amniotic membrane: amniotic epi.+ extraembryonic mesoderm Amniotic fluid:
Produce:1)amniotic cells 2) infusion of fluid from maternal blood 3) urine output from the fetus 4) pulmonary secretions

Output: 1) absorbed by amniotic cells

2) fetus swallow

1 liter circulate

 Functions

Amnion - Fluid

Mechanically cushion Protect from fetus adhesion Movement Maintain Temp

Abnormalities
1) too much (polyhydramnios) >2000 ml Abnormal digestive system or CNS - esophageal atresia - anencephaly 2) too little (oligohydramnios) <500 ml Abnormal urinary system - poor development of kidney - urethra atresia

Yolk sac and Allantois

Yolk sac
Primitive Gut 3rd week, Germ Cells 3rd to 6th week, Blood island

Allantois
Caudal extension of hindgut Allantoic A pairs Allantoic V pairs Umbilical vessels 2A+1V

Umbilical Cord
Folding a purse string closure
Amnion membrane covered Cord: mucous CT, 3 vessels,yolk sac ,allantois 50-60 cm, 2cm diameter Long knots Short abruption

Placenta - Overview
Functions as:
Lungs, GI tract, Liver, Kidneys, Endocrine

Placenta proper:
Chorion frondosum+ Decidua basalis

Anatomy of the Placenta

Fetal Chorion
Chorion Frondosum Chorion Laeva

Maternal Decidua
Decidua Basalis Decidua Capsularis Decidua Parietalis

Anatomy of the Placenta

At birth 500 g 15-25 cm Diameter 3 cm thick Anchoring villi Decidual septa 1520 Cotelydons

Placental-Fetal Circulation
Fetus:
umbilical A carries O2/nutrient depleted blood to cap. of chorion , exchange with maternal blood of the intervillous spaceumbilical V

Mother:
spiral A intervillous space uterine V

Placental Barrier --the structure between fetal and maternal blood

--components:
1)endothelium of chorion capillary 2) CT in the core of the villus 3) trophoblast epithelium

Placental Function
1.Exchange of Metabolites: nutrients antibody, waste 2.Defense barrier 3.hormone production
- human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) Begin: end of 2nd week Highest: 2nd month - Estrogen and progesterone - Placental lactogen

Twins
Two types:
One zygote (monozygotic) Two (or more) zygotes (dizygotic)
2 (or more) oocytes Non Identical

Twins - Monozygotic
Zygote split
2-4 cell
2 amn, 2 chorion

Blastocyst
2 amn, 1 chorion

Bilaminar germ disc

1 amn, 1 chorion

Incomplete splitting
Conjoined twins