placenta

American  

[pluh-sen-tuh] / pləˈsɛn tə /

noun

plural

placentas, placentae

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the organ in most mammals, formed in the lining of the uterus by the union of the uterine mucous membrane with the membranes of the fetus, that provides for the nourishment of the fetus and the elimination of its waste products.

2. Botany.

   1. the part of the ovary of flowering plants that bears the ovules.

   2. (in ferns and related plants) the tissue giving rise to sporangia.

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placenta British  

/ pləˈsɛntə /

noun

1. the vascular organ formed in the uterus during pregnancy, consisting of both maternal and embryonic tissues and providing oxygen and nutrients for the fetus and transfer of waste products from the fetal to the maternal blood circulation See also afterbirth

2. the corresponding organ or part in certain mammals

3. botany

   1. the part of the ovary of flowering plants to which the ovules are attached

   2. the mass of tissue in nonflowering plants that bears the sporangia or spores

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placenta Scientific  

/ plə-sĕn′tə /

1. The sac-shaped organ that attaches the embryo or fetus to the uterus during pregnancy in most mammals. Blood flows between mother and fetus through the placenta, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and carrying away fetal waste products. The placenta is expelled after birth.

2. The part of the ovary of a flowering plant to which the ovules are attached. In a green pepper, for example, the whitish tissue to which the seeds are attached is the placenta.

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placenta Cultural  

1. An organ that forms in the uterus after the implantation of a zygote. The placenta moves nourishment from the mother's blood to the embryo or fetus; it also sends the embryo or fetus's waste products into the mother's blood to be disposed of by the mother's excretory system. The embryo or fetus is attached to the placenta by the umbilical cord. After birth, the placenta separates from the uterus and is pushed out of the mother's body.

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Other Word Forms

• interplacental adjective
• nonplacental adjective
• placental adjective
• placentary adjective
• preplacental adjective
• subplacenta noun
• subplacental adjective

Etymology

Origin of placenta

First recorded in 1670–80; from New Latin: “something having a flat, circular form,” Latin: “cake,” from Greek plakóenta, accusative of plakóeis “flat cake,” derivative of pláx (stem plak- ) “flat”

Example Sentences

"They've given me the medicines and insulin I need for the health of baby and the placenta."

From BBC

Baby Alissa suffered severe brain damage due to a lack of oxygen caused by the placenta coming away from the womb wall.

From BBC

"This finding also reinforces our commitment to developing antidepressants that do not reach the placenta -- a focus of many of our studies right now."

From Science Daily

Previous research has detected microplastics in nearly every organ, as well as in bodily fluids and even the placenta.

From Science Daily

Deposits of black carbon from air pollution have been found in the human body including in placentas analysed after birth.

From BBC

Related Words

• sheath
• sheet