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Placental: meaning, definitions and examples

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placental

 

[ pləˈsɛn.təl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

biological term

The term 'placental' refers to anything that is related to or characteristic of the placenta, an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy in mammals. This organ facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste between the mother and the developing fetus. Placental mammals, also known as eutherians, give birth to relatively well-developed young, as they benefit from extended gestation periods. Unlike marsupials, placental mammals have a more complex and efficient method of providing nutrients to their young during gestation.

Synonyms

placenta-derived, uterine

Examples of usage

  • Placental mammals include humans, dogs, and cats.
  • The placental attachment plays a crucial role in fetal development.
  • Some placental species have adapted uniquely to their environments.
  • Research on placental health is vital for maternal care.

Translations

Translations of the word "placental" in other languages:

🇵🇹 placentário

🇮🇳 प्लेसेंटल

🇩🇪 plazentar

🇮🇩 plasenta

🇺🇦 плацентарний

🇵🇱 łożyskowy

🇯🇵 胎盤の

🇫🇷 placentaire

🇪🇸 placentario

🇹🇷 plasentera

🇰🇷 태반의

🇸🇦 مشيمي

🇨🇿 placentární

🇸🇰 placentárny

🇨🇳 胎盘的

🇸🇮 placentaren

🇮🇸 fæðingarmóður

🇰🇿 плацента

🇬🇪 პლაცენტარული

🇦🇿 plasental

🇲🇽 placentario

Etymology

The word 'placental' derives from the Latin word 'placenta', which means 'cake,' due to the organ's disc-like and flat shape. The use of 'placenta' in English dates back to the 16th century, when it was first borrowed from New Latin, where its meaning remained closely tied to its biological function in reproduction. Over time, the term evolved to describe not just the organ itself, but also the characteristics associated with organisms that possess a placenta. The emergence of 'placental' as an adjective can be traced back to the study of comparative anatomy and embryology, which deepened our understanding of mammalian reproduction. This understanding has led to significant advancements in fields such as obstetrics, veterinary medicine, and reproductive biology.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,637, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.