710 research outputs found
Optimal villi density for maximal oxygen uptake in the human placenta
We present a stream-tube model of oxygen exchange inside a human placenta
functional unit (a placentone). The effect of villi density on oxygen transfer
efficiency is assessed by numerically solving the diffusion-convection equation
in a 2D+1D geometry for a wide range of villi densities. For each set of
physiological parameters, we observe the existence of an optimal villi density
providing a maximal oxygen uptake as a trade-off between the incoming oxygen
flow and the absorbing villus surface. The predicted optimal villi density
is compatible to previous experimental measurements. Several
other ways to experimentally validate the model are also proposed. The proposed
stream-tube model can serve as a basis for analyzing the efficiency of human
placentas, detecting possible pathologies and diagnosing placental health risks
for newborns by using routine histology sections collected after birth
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