Which organ functions as the exchange interface for mother and fetus?

Which organ functions as the exchange interface for mother and fetus?

• A. Umbilical Cord
• B. Placenta
• C. Amniotic Sac
• D. Uterus

Answer: (B)

The placenta serves as the site where maternal and fetal blood exchange oxygen, nutrients, and wastes. Maternal blood flows through the intervillous spaces, while fetal blood runs in the capillaries of the chorionic villi; these circulations stay separate but are brought into close contact across a semi-permeable placental barrier. This arrangement lets oxygen and nutrients diffuse into the fetus and carbon dioxide and wastes diffuse back to the mother. The umbilical cord is simply the conduit that carries blood between the fetus and placenta, the amniotic sac contains the fluid surrounding the fetus, and the uterus is the site of gestation, not the exchange interface.

The placenta serves as the site where maternal and fetal blood exchange oxygen, nutrients, and wastes. Maternal blood flows through the intervillous spaces, while fetal blood runs in the capillaries of the chorionic villi; these circulations stay separate but are brought into close contact across a semi-permeable placental barrier. This arrangement lets oxygen and nutrients diffuse into the fetus and carbon dioxide and wastes diffuse back to the mother. The umbilical cord is simply the conduit that carries blood between the fetus and placenta, the amniotic sac contains the fluid surrounding the fetus, and the uterus is the site of gestation, not the exchange interface.