The placenta is a fleshy disk like organ.

The fully developed placenta (afterbirth) is reddish in color. It is formed from the outer layers of the blastocyst. It is completely formed by the third month of pregnancy.

The umbilical cord (lifeline) connects the fetus to the placenta and is normally 20 inches in length and 3/4 inch in diameter. It contains one umbilical vein and two umbilical arteries.