syncytiotrophoblast /sinsish′ē·ōtrof″əblast′/ [Gk, syn + kytos, cell, trophe, nutrition, blastos, germ] , the outer syncytial layer of the trophoblast of an early mammalian embryo. It erodes the uterine wall during implantation and gives rise to the villi of the placenta. Also called plasmidotrophoblast, syncytial trophoblast, syntrophoblast. Compare cytotrophoblast. −syncytiotrophoblastic, adj.
