Placenta: An organ produced from interlocking maternal and embryonic tissue in placental mammals; supplies nutrients to the embryo and fetus and removes wastes.

 

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Placenta: An organ produced from interlocking maternal and embryonic tissue in placental mammals; supplies nutrients to the embryo and fetus and removes wastes.

Placental Mammals: One of three groups of mammals that carry their young in the mothers body for long periods during which the fetus is nourished by the placenta. Humans are placental mammals.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP): A protein excreted by the fetus into the amniotic fluid and from there into the mother's bloodstream through the placenta.

Labor: Childbirth, the aptly-named experience of delivering the baby and placenta from the uterus to the vagina to the outside world. There are two stages of labor. During the first stage (called t . . . View Full Definition

Umbilical Cord: The structure that connects the placenta and the embryo; contains the umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein.

Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS): A method of prenatal testing in which fetal cells from the fetal side of the placenta (chorionic villi) are extracted and analyzed for chromosomal and biochemical defects.

Marsupials: Pouched mammals. The young develop internally, but are born while in an embryonic state and remain in a pouch on the mothers abdomen until development is complete; this group includes kangar . . . View Full Definition