Intermediate Type Trophoblastic Cell

**Semantic type:** Cell

**Definition:** A trophoblast that travels into the junctional zone of the decidua, reacting with maternal tissue leukocytes, mainly NK cells, macrophages and T cells, and invades maternal blood vessels feeding the placenta, softening the walls and replacing the lining with fetal tissue. This junctional zone extends at the edge of the placenta to the amino-chorionic membranes where the chorionic laeve trophoblast has intimate contact with decidua tissue. One of the primary functions of this cell is in implantation and in the establishment of the uteroplacental circulation since it extensively invades the spiral arteries at the placental site.

**Synonyms:** - Intermediate Trophoblast