Ultrasound of the Placenta

This review covers ultrasound evaluation of the normal and abnormal placenta with clinical correlation. Normal placental function is essential for a healthy pregnancy outcome as well as for maternal, fetal, childhood, and adult health. Abnormal placental function may result in a compromised pregnancy, creating pathology for the fetus and mother alike. Despite the fact that placental anatomy, function, and location has far-reaching effects for the parents and the developing offspring, ultrasound examination of the placenta is often considered secondary to the fetus by expectant parents and sonographers as well. Location, size, shape, and architecture are easily ascertained with two-dimensional techniques. Three-dimensional ultrasound and Doppler techniques have opened up the frontier of placental function and have set the stage to make placental evaluation as fascinating as that of the fetus.