Placental pathology for the surgical pathologist

Pathologic examination of the placenta is of clinical importance in the eva luation of pregnancies with a less than perfect outcome. Morphologic altera tions of the placenta can mirror disorders of the fetus and the mother and evaluation of the placenta can identify clinically significant lesions, all ow understanding of a child's disability and may have a role in resolving m edical-legal disputes. Pathologic findings in the placenta can provide info rmation on the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or neuro developmental disorders. This review will cover a variety of frequently enc ountered, clinically important, and morphologically distinct disorders of t he placenta. The current understanding of the clinical implications of lesi ons for the mother, infant, and for future pregnancies will also be conside red.