Chorionic vessels
Encyclopedia
Chorionic vessels are blood vessels, including both arteries and veins, that carry blood through the chorion
in the feto
-placenta
l circulation.
Chorionic arteries branch off the umbilical artery
, and supply the capillaries of the chorionic villi
. Increased vasocontractility of chorionic arteries may contribute to preeclampsia.
Chorion
The chorion is one of the membranes that exist during pregnancy between the developing fetus and mother. It is formed by extraembryonic mesoderm and the two layers of trophoblast and surrounds the embryo and other membranes...
in the feto
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
-placenta
Placenta
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
l circulation.
Chorionic arteries branch off the umbilical artery
Umbilical artery
The umbilical artery is a paired artery that is found in the abdominal and pelvic regions. In the fetus, it extends into the umbilical cord.-Umbilical arteries in the fetus:...
, and supply the capillaries of the chorionic villi
Chorionic villi
Chorionic villi are villi that sprout from the chorion in order to give a maximum area of contact with the maternal blood.Embryonic blood is carried to the villi by the branches of the umbilical arteries, and after circulating through the capillaries of the villi, is returned to the embryo by the...
. Increased vasocontractility of chorionic arteries may contribute to preeclampsia.