placenta

noun

pla·​cen·​ta plə-ˈsen-tə How to pronounce placenta (audio)
plural placentas or placentae plə-ˈsen-(ˌ)tē How to pronounce placenta (audio)
1
: the vascular organ in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic exchanges through a more or less intimate association of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usually allantoic tissues
also : an analogous organ in another animal
2
: a sporangium-bearing surface
especially : the part of the carpel bearing ovules

Examples of placenta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In placental abruption, the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, called the placenta, suddenly detaches from the side of the uterus, thus endangering the health of the mother and the developing baby. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 July 2024 Share [Findings] Microplastics were found in sixty-two of sixty-two human placentas from a biobank in Texas. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 17 July 2024 The decrease in blood flow to the uterus and placenta — used to feed the baby — can result in low birth weight. Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 Gestational diabetes insipidus is when a pregnant person’s placenta makes too much of an enzyme that breaks down vasopressin in the body during pregnancy. Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for placenta 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'placenta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, flat cake, from Greek plakoenta, accusative of plakoeis, from plak-, plax flat surface — more at fluke entry 2

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of placenta was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near placenta

Cite this Entry

“Placenta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placenta. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

placenta

noun
pla·​cen·​ta plə-ˈsent-ə How to pronounce placenta (audio)
plural placentas or placentae -ˈsent-ē How to pronounce placenta (audio)
: the organ in most mammals by which the fetus is joined to the uterus of the mother and is nourished
placental
-ˈsent-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

placenta

noun
pla·​cen·​ta plə-ˈsent-ə How to pronounce placenta (audio)
plural placentas or placentae -ˈsent-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce placenta (audio)
: the vascular organ in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic exchanges through a more or less intimate association of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usually allantoic tissues permitting exchange of material by diffusion between the maternal and fetal vascular systems but without direct contact between maternal and fetal blood and typically involving the interlocking of fingerlike vascular chorionic villi with corresponding modified areas of the uterine mucosa see abruptio placentae

More from Merriam-Webster on placenta

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