Decidua

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Decidua
Diagrammatic sections of the uterine mucous membrane: A. The non-pregnant uterus. B. Decidua parietalis; the mucous membrane in the pregnant uterus and not beneath the placenta.
Sectional plan of the gravid uterus in the third and fourth month
Identifiers
MeSH	D003656
TE	E6.0.1.4.0.0.7
FMA	85538
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The decidua is the modified mucosal lining of the uterus (that is, modified endometrium) that forms every month, in preparation for pregnancy. It is shed off each month when there is no fertilised egg to support.^[1] The decidua is under the influence of progesterone. Endometrial cells become highly characteristic. The decidua forms the maternal part of the placenta and remains for the duration of the pregnancy. After birth the decidua is shed together with the placenta.^[1]