Figure 42.

Thrombus formation and associated mineralization in an E17.5 placenta following experimental treatment. Figure A: An early thrombus in a maternal vessel within the decidua. Note the trapped blood cells (bright red areas) within the thrombus (pale pink mass) and mineral foci (boxed) in the adjacent maternal decidua. Figure B: Higher magnification of boxed region in Figure A showing two foci of mineralization (arrows). Mineralization in the placenta can be a normal finding when placentas are near term. Mineralization at earlier time points could be an indicator of previous cell degeneration or necrosis related to improper placental function or poor blood exchange.