Deciduale

Deciduale is the Italian term used to describe something pertaining to or derived from the decidua, the specialized mucous membrane of the uterus formed during pregnancy from the endometrium under the influence of progesterone. The decidua is formed early in gestation to support implantation of the embryo and to participate in placental development. The term decidua derives from Latin decidua, meaning “fallen” or “shed,” reflecting the postpartum shedding of decidual tissue.

In anatomy, the decidua encompasses three portions: decidua basalis, decidua parietalis (also called decidua vera), and decidua capsularis. The decidua basalis lies beneath the implanted embryo and contributes to the maternal part of the placenta; the decidua capsularis covers the growing conceptus on the uterine cavity side; the decidua parietalis lines the rest of the uterine cavity. Decidual cells are large secretory stromal cells that proliferate and store glycogen and lipids, and they secrete cytokines to modulate immune responses and nourish early pregnancy. The interface between decidua and trophoblast creates the decidual-placental unit and participates in remodeling maternal spiral arteries.

Clinically, a healthy decidua is essential for successful implantation and placentation; abnormalities of decidualization are linked with pregnancy complications such as placental pathology or abnormal placentation, while decidual tissue remnants may be evaluated postpartum or in certain imaging or biopsies. The term also appears in Italian medical literature to describe features or tissues related to the decidua.