Placenta Functions: Essential Roles in Fetal Development

Gas Exchange:

- Allows oxygen to pass from maternal circulation into fetal circulation, while carbon dioxide passes from the fetus to the mother.

Nutrient Transfer:

- Transports essential nutrients from the mother's blood to the fetus. These nutrients include glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Waste Removal:

- Transfers metabolic waste products, such as carbon dioxide and urea, from the fetus to the maternal blood for elimination.

Hormonal Production:

- Produces hormones necessary for维持妊娠, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, and progesterone.