NCM 109: ANOMALIES OF PLACENTA AND CORD
Normal Placenta Characteristics - Answers - 500 g
15 to 20 cm in diameter
1.5 to 3.0 cm thick.
Weight = 1/6 of fetus
ideally, no chorion covers the fetal side of the placenta
Enlarged placenta (Risk Factors) - Answers - Diabetes
Syphliis
Erythroblastosis
Abnormal Placental Formation - Answers - - Placenta succenturiata
Placenta Circumvallata
Battledore
Velamentous
Placental Succenturiata - Answers - ● A placenta that has one or more accessory
lobes connected to the main placenta by
blood vessels
● No fetal abnormality associated. However,
the small lobes may be retained in the
uterus after birth that may lead to severe
obstetric hemorrhage
● A torn edge is apparent, or torn blood
vessels extend beyond the edge of the
placenta
● Therefore, if the retained lobes are
recognized and removed from the uterus
manually, the uterus will contract as usual
with no adverse effects
Placental Circumvallata - Answers - ● the fetal side of the placenta is covered to
some extent with chorion
● The umbilical cord enters the placenta at
the usual midpoint, and large vessels
spread out from there.
● However, they end abruptly at the point
where the chorion folds back onto the
surface.
● No abnormalities associated with this type
of placenta but its presence should be
noted.
, Battledore Placenta - Answers - ● Also known as Marginal Cord Insertion
● A condition wherein the umbilical cord is
inserted at or near the placental margin
rather than in the center (central cord
insertion).
● Central cord insertion allows for equal and
proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients
to the developing fetus, in the case of
marginal cord insertion complications may
occur because the margins of the placenta
cannot support the cord attachment the
same way that the center of the placenta
can.
Battledore Placenta (Complications) - Answers - ○ Preterm labor
○ Cesarean Delivery
○ Fetal distress
○ Intrauterine growth restriction
(IUGR)
○ Stillbirth (in extreme cases)
This is due to the reduced blood flow
and decreased circulation of oxygen
and nutrients. It also increases the
chances of developing placenta
previa.
Battledore Placenta (Risk Factors) - Answers - Multiple Pregnancy
Fertilkity Treatments
Battledore Placenta (DIagnosis) - Answers - ultrasounds and physical examination
Battledore Placenta (Treatment) - Answers - No effective treatment
Monitoring closely to ensure fetal growth
Velamentous Insertion of the Cord (Definition) - Answers - The cord attaches to the
membranes
outside of the placenta, instead of entering
the placenta directly, the cord separates into
small vessels that reach the placenta by
spreading across a fold of amnion, which
means the blood vessels travel farther to
get nutrients from the placenta and without
the protection of Wharton's jelly, it is easily broken
Normal Placenta Characteristics - Answers - 500 g
15 to 20 cm in diameter
1.5 to 3.0 cm thick.
Weight = 1/6 of fetus
ideally, no chorion covers the fetal side of the placenta
Enlarged placenta (Risk Factors) - Answers - Diabetes
Syphliis
Erythroblastosis
Abnormal Placental Formation - Answers - - Placenta succenturiata
Placenta Circumvallata
Battledore
Velamentous
Placental Succenturiata - Answers - ● A placenta that has one or more accessory
lobes connected to the main placenta by
blood vessels
● No fetal abnormality associated. However,
the small lobes may be retained in the
uterus after birth that may lead to severe
obstetric hemorrhage
● A torn edge is apparent, or torn blood
vessels extend beyond the edge of the
placenta
● Therefore, if the retained lobes are
recognized and removed from the uterus
manually, the uterus will contract as usual
with no adverse effects
Placental Circumvallata - Answers - ● the fetal side of the placenta is covered to
some extent with chorion
● The umbilical cord enters the placenta at
the usual midpoint, and large vessels
spread out from there.
● However, they end abruptly at the point
where the chorion folds back onto the
surface.
● No abnormalities associated with this type
of placenta but its presence should be
noted.
, Battledore Placenta - Answers - ● Also known as Marginal Cord Insertion
● A condition wherein the umbilical cord is
inserted at or near the placental margin
rather than in the center (central cord
insertion).
● Central cord insertion allows for equal and
proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients
to the developing fetus, in the case of
marginal cord insertion complications may
occur because the margins of the placenta
cannot support the cord attachment the
same way that the center of the placenta
can.
Battledore Placenta (Complications) - Answers - ○ Preterm labor
○ Cesarean Delivery
○ Fetal distress
○ Intrauterine growth restriction
(IUGR)
○ Stillbirth (in extreme cases)
This is due to the reduced blood flow
and decreased circulation of oxygen
and nutrients. It also increases the
chances of developing placenta
previa.
Battledore Placenta (Risk Factors) - Answers - Multiple Pregnancy
Fertilkity Treatments
Battledore Placenta (DIagnosis) - Answers - ultrasounds and physical examination
Battledore Placenta (Treatment) - Answers - No effective treatment
Monitoring closely to ensure fetal growth
Velamentous Insertion of the Cord (Definition) - Answers - The cord attaches to the
membranes
outside of the placenta, instead of entering
the placenta directly, the cord separates into
small vessels that reach the placenta by
spreading across a fold of amnion, which
means the blood vessels travel farther to
get nutrients from the placenta and without
the protection of Wharton's jelly, it is easily broken
