The uterine spiral arteries in human pregnancy: facts and controversies

R Pijnenborg, L Vercruysse, M Hanssens - Placenta, 2006 - Elsevier
Uterine spiral arteries play a vital role in supplying nutrients to the placenta and fetus, and
for this purpose they are remodelled into highly dilated vessels by the action of invading
trophoblast (physiological change). Knowledge of the mechanisms of these changes is
relevant for a better understanding of pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy complications
which show incomplete spiral artery remodelling. Controversies still abound concerning
different steps in these physiological changes, and several of these disagreements are …