胎膜:退化组织还是功能组织?

Fetal membranes: degenerative or functional tissues?

胎膜由羊膜和绒毛膜组成,覆盖了约70%的子宫腔。以往认为,作为退化了的绒毛组织,胎膜可能在妊娠中只起着包裹羊水和胎儿的作用。但越来越多的证据表明,胎膜是妊娠期间最重要的功能组织之一。胎膜不仅保护着胎儿,还表达和分泌多种因子,参与妊娠维持和胚胎发育。胎膜来源的信号在分娩启动中起着非常关键的作用。如果过早发生胎膜激活,如羊膜绒毛膜炎,将导致早产。

The fetal membranes, consisting of amnion and chorion, cover approximately 70% of the uterine cavity. Accumulating evidence indicates that the fetal membranes are not mere degenerating tissues covering the amniotic fluid and the fetus, but one of the most important functional tissues during pregnancy. The fetal membranes not only protect the fetus, but also secrets a series of hormones and cytokines involved in pregnancy maintenance and fetal development as well as the initiation of labor. Early activation of fetal membranes such as chorioamnionitis will lead to preterm birth.