title: Cellular junctions on the free surface of human placental syncytium.
abstract: Chorionic villi of human placenta at full term have been studied in thin section. On the free surface of syncytium, cellular junctions such as desmosomes, desmosome-like junctions and tight junctions, but not gap junctions, are present. Theories regarding the formation and functions of the junctions on the syncytial free surface are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008867:Microtomy