What is the role of the placenta during pregnancy?

The role of the placenta during pregnancy is primarily focused on the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus. This organ acts as a critical interface, allowing vital nutrients like oxygen and glucose to pass from the maternal bloodstream into the fetal circulation, while also facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea from the fetus back to the mother for excretion.

In addition to its primary function, the placenta also plays a vital role in supporting fetal growth by producing hormones that assist in maintaining pregnancy and promoting development. While it contributes to protection against some infectious agents and can have a role in regulating maternal blood pressure through the release of certain substances, these functions are secondary compared to the essential nutrient and waste exchange mechanism that sustains the developing fetus. The effectiveness of this exchange is crucial for normal fetal growth and development throughout the pregnancy.