Premium
Sonographic anatomy of the normal placenta
Author(s) -
Spirt Beverly A.,
Kagan Eugene H.,
Rozanski Richard M.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.1870070309
Subject(s) - myometrium , medicine , placenta , calcification , anatomy , radiology , fetus , uterus , pregnancy , biology , genetics
The normal anatomy of the placenta and the retroplacental area can be well defined with gray scale sonography. The placenta has a characteristic granular echo pattern, with strong echoes emanating from the chorionic plate. After 37 weeks, strong echoes representing calcification may appear; this is a normal physiologic process. The significance of early calcification is unclear. The retroplacental myometrium and venous drainage of the placenta are easily visualized by sonography. Variations in the appearance of the retroplacental myometrium result from different degrees of bladder filling and from uterine contractions. These normal retroplacental structures should not be mistaken for myomas or hematomas.