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Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 3/2008

01-03-2008 | Review Article

Placenta: angiogenesis and vascular assessment through three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography

Authors: Hélio Antonio Guimarães Filho, Lavoisier Linhares Dias da Costa, Edward Araújo Júnior, Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza, Paulo Martin Nowak, Antonio Fernandes Moron, Rosiane Mattar, Cláudio Rodrigues Pires

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 3/2008

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Abstract

The placenta is fundamental for fetal development. It combines the functions of an endocrine organ, kidneys, lungs and intestines, purifying catabolites, oxygenating and nourishing the conceptus. Its fetal portion is the largest part develops from the chorionic sac. The maternal portion, which is smaller, is originated in the endometrium, more specifically in the decidua basalis. The placenta starts its function closer to the fourth week of gestation, when anatomical arrangements for the physiological exchanges are already established. The circulatory function of the placenta appears at an early stage of embryo-placental development and it is strongly related to fetal growth, to the placental size and to uterine and umbilical blood flows. Therefore, an adequate placental angiogenesis is critical for the establishment of a normal placental vascularization with consequent normal development of the fetus. In this review article, the authors discuss about placental ontogeny, focusing on the main aspects of its normal development, and about the recent advances in ultrasonography for the study of the vascular architecture of the placenta through three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography.
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Metadata
Title
Placenta: angiogenesis and vascular assessment through three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography
Authors
Hélio Antonio Guimarães Filho
Lavoisier Linhares Dias da Costa
Edward Araújo Júnior
Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza
Paulo Martin Nowak
Antonio Fernandes Moron
Rosiane Mattar
Cláudio Rodrigues Pires
Publication date
01-03-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0453-y

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Acknowledgment to reviewers