Trophoblast

Trophoblast
Trophoblast
Blastocyst English.svg
Blastocyst with an inner cell mass and trophoblast.
Gray32.png
Section through ovum imbedded in the uterine decidua. Semidiagrammatic.

am. Amniotic cavity.
b.c. Blood-clot.
b.s. Body-stalk.
ect. Embryonic ectoderm.
ent. Entoderm.
mes. Mesoderm.
m.v. Maternal vessels.
tr. Trophoblast.
u.e. Uterine epithelium.
u.g. Uterine glands.
y.s. Yolk-sac.
Latin trophoblastus; massa cellularis externa
Gray's subject #6 46
Days 6
Gives rise to caul
Code TE E6.0.1.1.2.0.2
MeSH Trophoblasts

Trophoblasts (from Greek trephein: to feed, and blastos: germinator) are cells forming the outer layer of a blastocyst, which provide nutrients to the embryo and develop into a large part of the placenta. They are formed during the first stage of pregnancy and are the first cells to differentiate from the fertilized egg. This layer of trophoblasts is also collectively referred to as "the trophoblast",[1] or, after gastrulation,[2] the trophectoderm, as it is then contiguous with the ectoderm of the embryo.

Contents

Function

Trophoblasts are specialised cells of the placenta that play an important role in embryo implantation and interaction with the decidualised maternal uterus. The core of placental villi contain mesenchymal cells and placental blood vessels that are directly connected to the fetal circulation via the umbilical cord. This core is surrounded by two layers of trophoblast; a single layer of mononuclear cytotrophoblast that fuse together to form the overlying multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layer that covers the entire surface of the placenta. It is this syncytiotrophoblast that is in direct contact with the maternal blood that reaches the placental surface, and thus facilitates the exchange of nutrients, wastes and gases between the maternal and fetal systems.[citation needed]

In addition, cytotrophoblast in the tips of villi can differentiate into another type of trophoblast called the extravillous trophoblast. Extravillous trophoblast grow out from the placenta and penetrate into the decidualised uterus. This process is essential not only for physically attaching the placenta to the mother, but also for altering the vasculature in the uterus to allow it to provide an adequate blood supply to the growing fetus as pregnancy progresses. Some of these trophoblast even replace the endothelial cells in the uterine spiral arteries as they remodel these vessels into wide bore conduits that are independent of maternal vasoconstriction. This ensures the fetus receives a steady supply of blood, and the placenta is not subjected to fluctuations in oxygen that could cause it damage.[citation needed]

Differentiation

The trophoblast proliferates and differentiates into 2 cell layers at approximately 6 days after fertilization for humans:

Layer Location Description
cytotrophoblast inner layer Single celled, inner layer of the trophoblast.
syncytiotrophoblast outer layer Thick layer that lacks cell boundaries and grows into the endometrial stroma. It secretes hCG in order to maintain progesterone secretion and sustain a pregnancy.
intermediate trophoblast (IT) implantation site, chorion, villi (dependent on subtype) anchor placenta (implanation site IT), unknown (chorionic & villus IT)

Pathology

The invasion of a specific type of trophoblast (extravillous trophoblast) into the maternal uterus is a vital stage in the establishment of pregnancy:

  • Failure of the trophoblast to invade sufficiently is important in the development of some cases of pre-eclampsia.
  • Too firm an attachment may lead to placenta accreta.

Gestational trophoblastic disease represents a form of proliferation.

Additional images

See also

References

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • trophoblast — trophoblast. См. трофобласт. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Trophoblast — Trophoblast, in der ⇒ Morula und der ⇒ Blastocyste der Säuger die äußere, extraembryonale Zellschicht, die der Festheftung des Keims in der Gebärmutterwand sowie der Ernährung dient und später das ⇒ Chorion bildet …   Deutsch wörterbuch der biologie

  • trophoblast — [träf′ə blast΄] n. [ TROPHO + BLAST] a layer of nutritive ectoderm outside the blastoderm, by which the fertilized ovum is attached to the uterine wall and the developing embryo receives its nourishment trophoblastic adj …   English World dictionary

  • Trophoblast — schematischer Aufbau der Blastozyste Das Trophoblast ist die äußere Zellschicht einer Blastozyste und verbindet diese mit der Gebärmutterwand. Es bildet sich am 5. bis 12. Tag nach der Befruchtung aus Blastomere, weicht mittels Enzymen die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • trophoblast — The mesectodermal cell layer covering the blastocyst that erodes the uterine mucosa and through which the embryo receives nourishment from the mother; the cells do not enter into the formation of the embryo itself, but contribute to the …   Medical dictionary

  • Trophoblast — Tro|pho|blạst 〈m. 16〉 äußere Schicht der Keimblase, über die die Ernährung des Embryos erfolgt [<grch. trophe „Nahrung“ + blastos „Keim, Spross“] * * * Trophoblạst   [zu griechisch blastós »Blatt«, »Spross«] der, en/ en, Blastodẹrm,… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • trophoblast — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1889 the outer layer of the mammalian blastocyst that supplies nutrition to the embryo and facilitates implantation • trophoblastic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • trophoblast — Extra embryonic layer of epithelium that forms around the mammalian blastocyst, and attaches the embryo to the uterus wall. Forms the outer layer of the chorion, and together with maternal tissue will form the placenta …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • trophoblast — trophoblastic, adj. /trof euh blast , troh feuh /, n. Embryol. the layer of extraembryonic ectoderm that chiefly nourishes the embryo or develops into fetal membranes with nutritive functions. [1885 90; TROPHO + BLAST] * * * …   Universalium

  • trophoblast — noun /ˈtɹɒfə(ʊ)blɑːst/ The membrane of cells that forms the wall of a blastocyst during early pregnancy, providing nutrients to the embryo and later developing into part of the placenta …   Wiktionary

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