Fig. 7.

Septation in a stem artery is characterized by strands of spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells that dissect into the lumen, separating clusters of red cells into small loculated spaces (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification ×200). This is from the same placenta as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 11. This process begins multifocally in areas of stasis in approximately 2 days and becomes extensive after 2 or more weeks.

(From Genest DR. Estimating the time of death in stillborn fetuses: II. Histologic evaluation of the placenta; a study of 71 stillborns. Obstet Gynecol 1992;80:585–92; with permission.)