Figure 1. Some drugs can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus (IMAGE)

Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Figure 1. Some drugs can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus

Caption

In the human placenta, there are placental villi, and the surface of the villi consists of syncytiotrophoblast, also called barrier cells, that serve as the main barrier against foreign substances. However, some medicines taken by pregnant women can penetrate this placental barrier and have undesirable effects on the fetus.

Credit

Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, TMDU

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