What is the primary role of the placenta during pregnancy?

The primary role of the placenta during pregnancy is to facilitate nourishment and gas exchange for the developing embryo. The placenta acts as a crucial interface between the mother and the fetus, allowing for the transfer of oxygen and essential nutrients from the mother’s bloodstream to the fetus. Simultaneously, it enables the removal of carbon dioxide and metabolic waste produced by the embryo back into the maternal circulation for disposal.

This organ not only ensures that the embryo receives the necessary components for growth and development but also plays a significant role in maintaining a stable environment that supports embryonic and fetal development. Furthermore, the placenta becomes a temporary endocrine organ, producing hormones that are vital for sustaining pregnancy, but its primary focus remains on supporting the embryo through nourishment and gas exchange.