Intercellular junctions in the full term human placenta. II. Cytotrophoblast cells, intravillous stroma cells and blood vessels.

Intercellular junctions within the villous stroma and the cytotrophoblastic layer of the human full term placenta were investigated using thin sectioning and freeze-fracturing. Numerous maculae adherentes (desmosomes) were found between the cytotrophoblast cells and the syncytiotrophoblast. This junction type was also seen connecting adjacent cytotrophoblast cells. Large gap junctions were frequently observed in contact areas of perikarya or at processes of adjacent fibroblasts. They often exhibited a peculiar pattern of their particles on the P-face of the membrane. Small rows of junctional particles were found on the P-faces of interconnected smooth muscle cells and gap junctions frequently bridged myoendothelial and interendothelial contact zones. The significance of the junctional complexes is discussed in relation to functional systems within the villous stroma of the human full term placenta.