The small intestine is not the only organ lined with villi. There is another type called chorionic villi that lines the lumen of the placenta. Chorionic villi surround a developing fetus during ...

The chorionic sac encompasses the fetus and the amnion and is covered with chorionic villi until the 8th week. After the 8th week, these villi are constricted due to a decreased blood supply until ...

As with amniocentesis, obstetricians may suggest using CVS, short for chorionic villus sampling, to detect genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome. In CVS, specialists perform an ultrasound to ...

In both cases, a histological examination should be performed on the evacuated uterine contents to look for the presence of chorionic villi. If chorionic villi are identified, the diagnosis is an ...

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a newer and slightly more risky alternative to amniocentesis that is performed earlier in the course of development, between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.