Ultrasonographic placental morphology.

Morphological changes in the placenta can be of vital importance to the fetus and even to the mother. Until recently only the pathologist could reveal the eventual underlying cause of placental pathology. Since the development of diagnostic ultrasound, several studies have been performed with respect to differences in the acoustic impedance within the placenta, and if possible these differences in acoustic impedance were related to morphologic changes in the placenta or clinical data. In this review article several ultrasonographical aspects will be discussed with regard to their possible clinical value and the underlying anatomy.