A few days ago we talked about the degrees of maturity of the placenta, which constitute an ultrasound test to determine the state of health of this organ and its possible impact on the fetal state. The degrees of the placenta in images show its evolution, since the placenta has a biological process: it is born, grows and dies.
According to their evolution, we were talking about four degrees or stages that differed by the placental aspect on their basal face (the one facing the uterine wall) and on their chorionic face (the one facing the fetus).
How to know the appearance of the placenta during pregnancy? This is observed by ultrasound. A scheme that exemplifies each of the degrees, like the one we see above, helps to understand the morphological differences of each stage.
Grade 0 shows smooth placental walls and internal substance without stains. In grade I we see some points that correspond to the first white spots of calcification. In the drawing corresponding to grade III, the most mature, we observe that there are partitions that communicate both sides of the placenta, a sign of aging.
The "real" image of the placenta is offered by ultrasound, although its correct interpretation is the task of specialists used to its observation. If it is difficult for parents and mothers to find the parts of the baby's body on ultrasound images, what will be the analysis of the placenta.
Remember the appreciable differences by ultrasound that establish the different grades according to the Grannum classification to identify them in the images:
- Placenta grade 0: characterized in that the basal and corial plaque are sonographically sonographic. Smooth chorionic plate without calcification areas.
- Placenta grade I: when you already have small white areas on ultrasound. In the corial plate certain fine and wavy calcifications are identified.
- Placenta grade II: in the corial plate it is visualized with a very wavy profile with diffuse calcifications. The placenta is not homogeneous due to the different echogenicities in its thickness due to calcium deposition. The partitions that penetrate the placenta do not come together.
- Placenta grade III: are placentas with large calcium deposits at all levels. Both the basal and the corial plaque appear with many white areas, and areas of calcification and degeneration are observed inside.
As we see in grade III there is old placenta or hypermadura, which could lead to a restriction in fetal development due to placental insufficiency.
These images that represent the degrees of maturity of the placenta They show us how this fundamental organ evolves during pregnancy for the growth of the baby. A physiologically fundamental organ, but, let's not forget, with great symbolic importance in different cultures, about what we will talk about soon.
