The Placenta: Identifying Normal

To provide information for the general pathologist about what is considered normal in the placenta and to differentiate findings that are abnormal or pathologic.

The literature about the placenta is confusing. It can be opinionated, and terminology varies among authors. Even what is expected to be seen, which we refer to as normal, is not consistent among experts.

This article focuses on what the general pathologist should know about normal macroscopic and histologic features of the placenta throughout gestation, as well as alterations that are controversial related to whether they are normal or not. Normal findings are differentiated from pathology when the morphology is confusing or overlaps. We further guide the reader to selected literature that describes pathology in clear, understandable terms. This is not a consensus document but does represent agreement among the authors and, when agreement isn't reached, differing opinions are noted.

This article is a report of normal features in the placenta based on distillation of evidence from the literature and personal experience in areas where the literature fails to provide clarity.