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The temporary anatomical structures prominent in the first trimester may be fulfilling exchange functions assigned to
S M Docherty1, R K Iles, N Wathen
1Department of Obstetrics, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK.
The extra-embryonic coelom (EEC) and secondary yolk sac are prominent structures in the gestational sac during the first trimester of human pregnancy, at a time before the definitive placental circulation becomes established. We propose that the EEC and yolk sac play a critical role in the nutrition of early pregnancy, fulfilling exchange functions which are assumed by the placenta at a later stage.
The extra-embryonic coelom (EEC) and secondary yolk sac are prominent structures in the gestational sac during the first trimester of human pregnancy, at a time before the definitive placental circulation becomes established. We propose that the EEC and yolk sac play a critical role in the nutrition of early pregnancy, fulfilling exchange functions which are assumed by the placenta at a later stage.