Placenta
Placenta associated uterine conditions
Placental site subinvolution
Author: Mandolin S. Ziadie, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2011
Last staff update: 29 October 2020
Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Placental site subinvolution
Cite this page: Ziadie MS. Placental site subinvolution. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/placentaplacentalsiteinvol.html. Accessed June 1st, 2023.
Definition / general
- Delayed / incomplete sloughing of the modified spiral arteries in the superficial myometrium beneath the placental attachment site
- Important cause of late postpartum bleeding
Etiology
- May be due to deficiency in immunologic factors necessary for normal involution of uteroplacental arteries
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Curettings show large, dilated vessels that lack a medial coat and are partially / completely thrombosed
- Trophoblasts may be present
