MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Placenta

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Placenta

The placenta grows during pregnancy and stays connected to the wall of the uterus where it provides the fetus with nourishment. The placenta also secretes hormones that help regulate and maintain the pregnancy.

Update Date: 5/18/2006

Updated by: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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