MORPHOMETRIC VARIATION OF PLACENTA AND UMBILICAL CORD INSERTION

Objective: To relate and appraise the morphological variationsof placenta and umbilical cord in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 placentas which were collected from GovernmentMaternity Hospital Hashtnagri and studied in the Anatomy department of Khyber Medical CollegePeshawar over one month duration. The morphological variations of placenta, like shape, weightand attachment of umbilical cord were noted and photographed. Results: In our study, we observed round placentas in 91 cases (91%), oval placentas in 5 cases(5%), irregular placentas in 3 cases (3%), and bilobed placenta in 1 case (1%), respectively. Normal cord insertion was found in 75% and abnormal insertion in 25% of cases respectively. The mean placental weight was 509.5g (normal weight ranges between 400 to 650gs). Conclusion: In the present study, the majority of the placentas presented with round shape,few placentae with oval and irregular shape or with an accessory lobe. The existing study alsoincluded variations in insertion of umbilical cords which was eccentric in majority of the casesfollowed by central and marginal insertion.