Scaling of the surface vasculature on the human placenta

Phys Rev E. 2017 Oct;96(4-1):040401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.96.040401. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Abstract

The networks of veins and arteries on the chorionic plate of the human placenta are analyzed in terms of Voronoi cells derived from these networks. Two groups of placentas from the United States are studied: a population cohort with no prescreening, and a cohort from newborns with an elevated risk of developing autistic spectrum disorder. Scaled distributions of the Voronoi cell areas in the two cohorts collapse onto a single distribution, indicating common mechanisms for the formation of the complete vasculatures, but which have different levels of activity in the two cohorts.

MeSH terms

  • Arteries / anatomy & histology*
  • Arteries / pathology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Placenta / anatomy & histology*
  • Placenta / blood supply*
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk
  • United States
  • Veins / anatomy & histology*
  • Veins / pathology