chorionic villus

**Chorionic Villus**

Chorionic villi are tiny, finger-like projections that emerge from the chorion, one of the membranes surrounding the embryo during early pregnancy. These structures play a crucial role in the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the developing fetus by facilitating the connection to maternal blood vessels. Chorionic villi are also the focus of chorionic villus sampling (CVS), a prenatal diagnostic test used to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Understanding chorionic villi is essential in fields such as embryology, obstetrics, and prenatal medicine.