The Preface

The placenta is one of the least understood and most understudied organs in the human body. For centuries, while the anatomy, histology, and physiology of other organs were studied in detail, the placenta was ignored. With the advent of medical sciences and in conjunction with efforts to practice medicine based on scientific evidence, pathological conditions associated with all other systems were intensely studied. Mostly due to lack of available knowledge about the normal placenta and its development, whether its histology or physiology or developmental pathways at biochemical or molecular level, this organ once again was left behind.

Numerous factors complicated the efforts to study this exotic organ.

To name a few:

1. The placenta is a transient structure that begins with the implantation of the embryo and completes its function. It is discarded after parturition, so it is not available to study in a non-pregnant woman.
2. It is a challenging organ whether one studies its anatomy, histology, physiology, or developmental biology. It constantly changes throughout the pregnancy, making it difficult to investigate and make generalizations.
3. It is difficult to create an efficient in situ model of the human placenta to learn the basics of its function and structure. Animal models, although helpful, are not ideal. Placentas vary in various species of animals. Primate placentas most resemble that of humans, but their use is limited.

The Series

The main purpose of starting to author and publish this series is to give the students and readers of perinatal sciences at every level a reliable, relatively simple and up-to-date source. Since the majority of the scientific papers are recent and like in many other fields of medicine, the body of knowledge is in flux and growing rapidly, it is very difficult to keep up to date especially when we all have other responsibilities.

The Format

Although there are obvious electronic formats more amenable to faster updates, I decided to start with the most traditional way, a hardcover book printed and bound where one can hold, read, take notes etc. Although the electronic dissemination of textbook information is increasing, I don’t think that this transformation is complete. On the other hand, since new editions of textbooks take an average of 3-4 years to reach the shelves, I decided not to wait this long to produce a newer edition of this book. So instead of waiting to prepare and publish an entire new edition after 3-4 years, I decided to use the speed of electronic media to share the incremental updates on-line. When the time comes for a complete revision, the new volume can be on the shelves after a very short printing time.

So using the advantage of electronic publishing will definitely shorten the turn-around time of the new editions.

The Future

Then there are dreams. These include creating databases useful to the perinatal pathologists in a mobile and easily accessible format so they will be available wherever, whenever. Also the diagrams can be shared to be used in lectures or other publications.

And maybe create a living body of knowledge specific to Perinatal Sciences similar to Wikipedia, where everybody can contribute a piece of knowledge or experience, so the collective information/knowledge is better preserved over generations.

The dreams are, as they stand, just dreams. In real life, the main objective is to continue with the planning of other publications and improve this one with feedback from our readers.