Morphological study of the fetal vasculature of the human term placenta: scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts.

Microvascular corrosion casts of the fetal vessels of the normal human placenta were studied using the scanning electron microscope. All available evidence suggests that when prepared under standard conditions the resultant casts accurately replicate the original luminal morphology of the vessels, and are comparable between placentae. In conjunction with stereo-pair photography this technique allows for the rapid and unequivocal interpretation of the three-dimensional configuration of villous vasculature. Previously described structures such as dilated capillary loops and perivascular capillary networks can be viewed in new and dramatic perspective. It is hoped the technique may thus be of assistance to physiologists in the interpretation of experimental data concerning placental transport. Further work is in progress to apply the technique to the investigation of possible changes in fetal vasculature occurring in abnormal pregnancies.