What is placenta? Mention its role during pregnancy?
The placenta is formed by the outer layer trophoblast of the embryo and endometrium. It starts to form after implantation of blastocyst around 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is a disc-like structure formed by the interdigitation of maternal tissue and chorionic villi of embryonal tissue forming a structural unit referred to as the placenta.
The placenta serves to provide nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood to the embryo and also removes waste generated by the embryo. The fetus and placenta are connected by the umbilical cord.