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AnatomyPelvis and perineumFemale pelvis and reproductive organsChorion
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AnatomyPelvis and perineumFemale pelvis and reproductive organsChorion

Chorion

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Chorion
1/7
Synonyms: none

The chorion is the outermost of the four membranes surrounding the developing fetus, consisting of trophoblast and underlaying extraembryonic mesoderm. It is continuous with the the lining of the uterine wall (endometrium) superficially and is in contact with the amnion deep to it. During development, the chorion and amnion will attach together to form the amniotic sac. 

Chorionic villi emerge from the chorion as it develops. The villi located adjacent to the decidua capsularis (the part of the decidua overlaying the embryo) will degenerate to produce the smooth part of the chorion termed the chorion laeve. Whereas the villi adjacent to the decidua basalis (the part of the decidua between the chorion and uterine wall) persist and increase in size to produce the part of the chorion termed the chorion frondosum, also known as the fetal portion of the placenta. These villi will invade and anchor to the endometrium, allowing for the exchange of nutrients, gases and wastes between maternal and fetal blood.

Terminology English: Chorion
Latin: Chorion
Parts Chorion leave: adjacent to decidua capsularis; lacks villi
Chorion frondosum: adjacent to decidua basalis, rich in villi 
Function Surrounds fetus for protection and nourishes via chorionic villi

Learn more about fetal development in this study unit:

Fetus in utero Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Constantinescu, I. A. (2007). Developmental Anatomy of Reproductive Organs. In Comparative Reproductive Biology (pp. 1–4). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Standring, S., Anand, N., & Tunstall, R. (2021). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-second edition). Elsevier.

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