Pathology of the Human Placenta has become the gold standard in the field for pathologists and obstetrician-gynecologists. Completely up-to-date, this fifth edition continues to be the essential reference for professionals in the field and includes many revised features such as a more detailed index; 700 total illustrations (350 color illustrations); and updated tables.

This book had its beginning in 1967 when Shirley G. Driscoll and Kurt Benirschke wrote in English the volume on placental pathology for the Henke-Lubarsch, the noted German Handbook of Pathology. There seemed to be a need for wider distribution of the text and it was reprinted by Springer Verlag, New York, essentially the only book available devoted just to the human placenta. Dr. Benirschke authored 5 subsequent editions in collaboration with Peter Kaufmann, Rebecca Baergen and Graham Burton in 1990 (2nd edition), 1995 (3rd edition), 2000 (4th edition), 2006 (5th edition) and 2012 (6th edition). In the early editions, the most important material was in a larger font than the extensive review of exceptions and the discussion in the literature. Since 1967, many other shorter placenta books have been published in English, French and German. None of these have included the breadth of discussion or the voluminous references which includes details of many historic articles, not readily available. Interest in the placenta has wildly expanded over the intervening 50+ years with the vast majority of Pathologists, Obstetricians and Pediatricians recognizing its value. In addition, there are now quite a few new journals, societies and meetings devoted to the placenta in both clinical and research areas. The interest extends into areas of study well beyond the realm of anatomic pathology. The 7th edition will, of necessity, differ from the prior editions which Dr. Benirschke wrote largely himself at first, and later with the help of the above noted co-authors. It will now be an international multi-authored book with nearly 40 contributors revising one or more chapters. The explosion of new information as necessitating some reordering of chapters and adding completely new chapters including Chapters 31 and 32, “Innovations in Placental Pathology” and “Imaging in Placental Pathology”. Dr. Burton’s section has been extensively edited, as well. The editors gave the new authors considerable latitude in how to write the new and/or edited chapters. Many of the revised chapters retain much of Dr. Benirschke’s anecdotal information as well as the voluminous references. Others are more modern in their approach. All contain substantial new references and current information. It is our hope that Benirschke’s Pathology of the Human Placenta will remain as a mainstay reference in placental pathology. It aims to help readers gain a broad understanding of how placental architecture is shaped during normal development, with a view to appreciating how this may be perturbed in complications of pregnancy.

Pathology of the Human Placenta remains the most comprehensive and authoritative text in the field. It provides extensive information on the normal placenta, encompassing physiology, metabolism, and endocrinology, and covers the full range of placental diseases in great detail. Further chapters are devoted to abortions, molar pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, and legal considerations. This sixth edition of the book has been extensively revised and expanded to reflect the most recent progress in the field, and a brand new chapter has been added on artificial reproductive technology. Some 800 illustrations are included, many of them in color. The detailed index has been further improved and tables updated. Pathology of the Human Placenta will be of enormous value to pathologists and obstetrician-gynecologists alike.

Manual of Pathology of the Human Placenta, Second Edition is a concise, practical manual of placental pathology. While references are made to the more encyclopedic Pathology of the Human Placenta, this Manual is designed as a user-friendly, easy-to-read bench manual that can be used in the grossing room as well as at the microscope. Features of the text include:- A section on the approach to the placental specimen, providing suggestions on what to do, as well as when and how to do it.- Discussion of detailed development and normal histology of all parts of the placenta for those wanting to learn about specific areas of the placenta.- Discussion of placental lesions, disease processes related to the placenta, neoplasms, and trophoblastic lesions. An overview of the legal implications of placental examination and future direction. "Suggestions for Examination and Report" includes key points in gross examination, sectioning, and diagnosis. Suggestions for comments in the surgical pathology report guide the reader in problematic situations or when the diagnosis or diagnostic implications are unclear.An abundance of tables summarize pertinent information and provide easy access to the differential diagnoses of various lesions. Manual of Pathology of the Human Placenta is a must-have reference for every pathologist, resident and pathology assistant.

Based upon the gold standard textbook currently in its fourth edition. User-friendly and easy to reference information tables that pinpoint specific pages in text for further reading and reference. Easy access to differential diagnosis of various lesions. Bold type indicates important lesions, diseases and concepts – Italicized text provides the definitions. Shaded "Suggestions for Examinations and Report" section includes key points in gross examinations, sectioning and diagnosis. Over 350 illustrations, more than 140 of them in full-color. Written for general pathologists and pathologists-in-training.

This presentation of the diseases of the placenta differs in many ways from the first such treatment in these volumes by the eminent Robert Meyer. It is a deliberate attempt to bring together the practical information which has been gathered about the pathology of this complex organ and to make it available to the practicing pathologist as well as clinician. Despite the ready availability of the placenta for study, the pathologist is often ill-prepared to interpret lesions which he may find. Moreover, it has been difficult for him to find reference material, published commonly in journals and books with which he is not familiar. Further more, the interpretation of lesions affecting the placenta seemed less challenging since the organ had served its function, was to be discarded and presumably little of significance could be expected from such a retrospective study. Recently, with new emphasis on maternal and fetal health and disease, it has become apparent that knowledge of pathologic changes in the placenta often provides a unique insight into antenatal events. Thus, there has been an abundance of publications in this field in recent years, several in book form. These and the most important older investigations on the morbid anatomy of the human pla centa are here reviewed. This book has been written with a special point of view, however, which reflects our own bias.