Abstract
In general, tissue removed or spontaneously passed from the body must be sent for pathologic examination. Placentas are the notable exception in that they are the only specimens for which routine examination is not required. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals states that “normal placentas” from “normal deliveries” are not required to be examined or submitted to pathology. However, a definition of what is normal is not forthcoming. Although there are a number of options for placental selection, this task is frequently left to obstetricians or other health care workers involved in the delivery, and thus selection is seldom based on specific criteria. This is the least desirable of the possible options discussed below.
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Baergen, R.N. (2011). Macroscopic Evaluation of the Second- and Third-Trimester Placenta. In: Manual of Pathology of the Human Placenta. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7494-5_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7494-5_3
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