[Functional morphology of the placental bed of the uterus]

The review deals with the literature and authors' data on the structure and function of main components of the uterus placenta bed under normal course of pregnancy. The attention is focused on the most important process, namely, the invasion of non-villous or interstitial cytotrophoblast into the walls of spiral arteries of the endo- and myometrium, their gestational restructuration which ensures sequential increase of the uterus-placenta circulation and, consequently, optimal foetal development. This information is necessary for the understanding of the pathological processes in the zone of uterus-placenta contact.