Diseases of the Placenta

1. Hydatidiform mole: A poliferative cystic degradation of the chorionic villi.

2. Calcareous degeneration: Associated normal degerative process of the placenta. The maternal surface is rough to touch and white gritty substance like broken egg shells form opaque on it.

3. Infarcts: Small whitish area of dead tissue found on the maternal surface. It results from necrotic chorionic villi. It can be found in cases of Pre-Eclampsia Essential hypertension and prolonged pregnancy.

4. Oedematous placenta: This condition is found in hydrops fetalis when the placenta is large, pale with fluid oozing out from it.

5. Syphilitic placenta: the placenta is greasy –lookin g and may weigh as much as one quarter of the weight of the fetus.