Fetus in utero
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Understand the anatomy of the uterus, placenta and placental tissues during the fetal period.
- Identify the main structural and vascular features of the placenta.
- Appreciate the relations between the fetal layers, reproductive organs and other structures of the female pelvis.
Browse atlas
The fetus is a term that describes an unborn baby from the 8th week after fertilization until birth. In the uterus (i.e. in utero) the fetus is surrounded by an amniotic sac, a membranous sac which provides protection to the fetus.
The placenta is a temporary organ for gas, nutrient and substance exchange between mother and fetus. This exchange is mediated by the umbilical cord, a structure developed from the fetal tissue. It contains one vein and two arteries, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from it.
With our atlas you can explore all structures surrounding the fetus in utero, as well as the structural and vascular components of the placenta.
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fetus/XC59kYR2sFsIgCKioWGSA_Fetus.png "Fetus; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/amniotic-sac-1/VvRDqr1kG2RVP95nOFsB9g_Amniotic_sac.png "Amniotic sac (Saccus amnii); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/amnion-3/kyglSzVYe2npaEtJU519Q_Amnion.png "Amnion; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/placenta/I6V3HVVlz7SRj9s0IxW0Q_Placenta.png "Placenta; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/basal-decidua/c0LbGHi175B7xbNXPRReng_Basal_decidua.png "Basal decidua (Decidua basalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/parietal-decidua-1/9EHF6lgqCHw9bIBENszA_Parietal_decidua.png "Parietal decidua (Decidua parietalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/chorion-2/4fJSgt2MsERgnejio95Xw_Chorion.png "Chorion; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/uterus-11/BlCoYoCIAwIW8MfAiFOKQw_Uterus.png "Uterus; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/uterine-cavity/FETGed2aa4K7v2lxcRyyA_Uterine_cavity.png "Uterine cavity (Cavitas uteri); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/mucus-plug/GvtLa9Y50162o1pDWgJmvg_Mucus_plug.png "Mucus plug (Obturamentum cervicale); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/umbilical-cord/efbzGnMHbDn8ZXEoaFfEw_Umbilical_cord.png "Umbilical cord (Funiculus umbilicalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pubic-symphysis-13/1GDfkAj77e93wdgMRG1Bw_Pubic_symphysis.png "Pubic symphysis (Symphysis pubica); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vaginal-orifice-1/h1NpngwGUQ0rIJ3kFqjEWA_Vaginal_orifice.png "Vaginal orifice (Ostium vaginae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vagina-16/J9jVrzGkQ66cX57jBwkaw_Vagina.png "Vagina; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/urethra-8/LhEb662lgzKUZ3u6vdDRhg_Urethra.png "Urethra; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/urinary-bladder-15/ORqhDEe0ufVg90zlo1PZXA_Urinary_bladder.png "Urinary bladder (Vesica urinaria); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/rectus-abdominis-muscle-40/zY4E7nLGQG5SweD0WuKUg_Rectus_abdominis_muscle.png "Rectus abdominis muscle (Musculus rectus abdominis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/rectum-26/dGvwytABjZ1MB5E1oe0Ew_Rectum.png "Rectum; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anus-5/lCA7WekphKiS3aWH8q0rw_Anus.png "Anus; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/internal-anal-sphincter-3/z85xTCmfmvuFHaK6C5r04A_Internal_anal_sphincter.png "Internal anal sphincter (Musculus sphincter internus ani); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/amniochorion/MLhNWP4tDZkqaY3RznpTA_Chorioamniotic_membrane.png "Amniochorion; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/amnion-2/QBoXdCRmSEW2smHAKs3LA_Amnion.png "Amnion; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/chorion-laeve/aaPdVwZmYJUTruHHDoA_Smooth_chorion_magni.png "Chorion laeve; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/chorionic-plate-1/LB0rzIOIsTKXZd9OzGgRrA_Chorionic_plate.png "Chorionic plate (Lamina chorionica); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/basal-plate-of-placenta/oMWMCbXbcKadafsTFZqMg_Basal_plate.png "Basal plate of placenta (Pars basalis placentae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/placental-septum/UcExIuqiV4Wot54CTFnwQ_Placental_septum_magni.png "Placental septum (Septum placentae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/myometrium-8/NS4vV2R02RGmVtqdTnWVg_Myometrium.png "Myometrium; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/intervillous-spaces-2/dzsYshcKZhSo7oQNm68g_Intervillous_space.png "Intervillous spaces (Spatium intervillosum); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fetal-circulation/rIavMxBzqHXggcN1FBOFw_Fetal_circulation.png "Fetal circulation (Vasa fetales); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/umbilical-vein/Jq80H5uvyeVl3cHm5qtt9w_Umbilical_vein.png "Umbilical vein (Vena umbilicalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/umbilical-artery-2/xwuvZ5wdDC5hDhRviJP7hQ_Umbilical_arteries_magni.png "Umbilical artery (Arteria umbilicalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/chorion-frondosum/YNsMDK5RoaAXIrMt5EWzQ_chorion-frondosum_-_magni.png "Chorion frondosum; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/maternal-vein/1L7Coji231YDFbJvwTTOA_maternal_vein_magni.png "Maternal veins (Venae maternae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/spiral-artery-of-uterus/fdo6IXDqhviP1UBSMn4qQ_Maternal_spiral_artery_magni.png "Spiral artery of uterus (Arteria spiralis uteri); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/maternal-circulation/1dLsnmkpn7Eh2qiQWHgCgQ_Maternal_circulation.png "Maternal circulation (Vasa maternae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/basal-decidua-1/aptY1BA3m3Be1PzKfVtCbQ_Decidua_basalis.png "Basal decidua (Decidua basalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/parietal-decidua/dpK4REB1pOeKAquTPbyjQ_Decidua_parietalis_magni.png "Parietal decidua (Decidua parietalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
Take a quiz
Test your knowledge about the fetus, placenta and female reproductive organs by taking our quiz:
If you feel like a pro, try out our custom quiz to get a broader quiz on the female pelvis and the reproductive system.
Summary
| Definition | Placenta is a highly specialized, temporary organ that develops as a conduit between maternal and fetal tissues. |
| Portions |
Fetal portion: chorion frondosum Maternal portion: basal decidua |
| Functions | Exchange of metabolic and gaseous products between maternal and fetal bloodstreams, production of hormones. |
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