Abstract
The chorionic villi are the site where virtually all maternofetal and fetomaternal exchange takes place. Most metabolic and endocrine activities of the placenta are localized there as well. The villi have a dual blood supply from both the fetal and maternal circulations. Despite the diversification of villous types, all chorionic villi exhibit the same basic structure (Fig. 6.1). They are covered by syncytiotrophoblast, an epithelial surface layer (Fig. 6.1a) that is in direct contact with the maternal blood and functions as an endothelium. Between syncytiotrophoblast and the basement membrane are the villous cytotrophoblast, or Langhans’ cells. These are the villous stem cells of the syncytium, supporting its growth and regeneration. The trophoblastic basement membrane separates the trophoblast from the villous stroma. The stroma is composed of connective tissue cells, connective tissue fibers, ground substance, and fetal vessels.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Selected References
PHP5, pages 50–120 (Basic Structure of the Villous Trees), pages 121–173 (Architecture of Normal Villous Trees).
Boyd JD, Hamilton WJ. Electron microscopic observations on the cytotrophoblast contribution to the syncytium in the human placenta. J Anat 1966;100:535–548.
Cantle SJ, Kaufmann P, Luckhardt M, et al. Interpretation of syncytial sprouts and bridges in the human placenta. Placenta 1987;8:221–234.
Castellucci M, Scheper M, Scheffen I, et al. The development of the human placental villous tree. Anat Embryol (Berl) 1990;181:117–128.
Castellucci M, Zaccheo D. The Hofbauer cells of the human placenta: morphological and immunological aspects. Prog Clin Biol Res 1989;269:443–451.
Demir R, Kaufmann P, Castellucci M, et al. Fetal vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in human placental villi. Acta Anat 1989;136:190–203.
Demir R, Kosanke G, Kohnen G, et al. Classification of human placental stem villi: review of structural and functional aspects. Microsc Res Tech 1997;38:29–41.
Enders AC, King BF. The cytology of Hofbauer cells. Anat Rec 1970;167:231–252.
Graf R, Schoenfelder G, Muehlberger M, et al. The perivascular contractile sheath of human placental stem villi: its isolation and characterization. Placenta 1995;16:57–66.
Kaufmann P. Basic morphology of the fetal and maternal circuits in the human placenta. Contrib Gynecol Obstet 1985;13:5–17.
Kaufmann P, Scheffen I. Placental development In: Polin RA, Fox WW (eds) Neonatal and fetal medicine – physiology and pathophysiology, Vol 1. Orlando: Saunders, 1992:47–55.
Kaufmann P, Sen DK, Schweikhart G. Classification of human placental villi. I. Histology and scanning electron microscopy. Cell Tissue Res 1979;200:409–423.
Leiser R, Luckhardt M, Kaufmann P, Winterhager E, Bruns U The fetal vascularisation of term human placental villi. I. Peripheral stem villi., Anat Embryol 173:71-80, 1985.
Loukeris K, Sela R, Baergen RN. Frequency of syncytial knots in the placenta as different gestational ages. Mod Pathol 2007;20:289.
Wigglesworth JS. Vascular organization of the human placenta. Nature 1967;216:1120–1121.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Baergen, R.N. (2011). Chorionic Villi: Histology and Villous Development. In: Manual of Pathology of the Human Placenta. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7494-5_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7494-5_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-7493-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-7494-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)