HealthJuly 8, 2026
placenta
/pləˈsɛntə/
Definition
A temporary organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus, which is expelled after birth.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'placenta', meaning 'flat cake,' which refers to the organ's circular, flattened shape. It was adopted into medical English in the 17th century to describe the structure connecting the fetus to the mother.
In the news
In the article, the term is used to describe a gruesome detail of the crime, noting that the perpetrator removed the victim's unborn baby and fled with the child and the placenta.
Why Netflix’s ‘Maternal Instinct’ left out Taylor Parker’s mental health diagnosis
Read the full article ↗Syracuse.com