Succenturiate lobe

Last revised by Joshua Yap on 8 May 2023

A succenturiate lobe is a variation in placental morphology and refers to a smaller accessory placental lobe that is separate to the main disc of the placenta. There can be more than one succenturiate lobe.

The estimated incidence is ~2 per 1000 pregnancies.

Some authors suggest that there is a higher prevalence of a succenturiate lobe in patients 8:

  • >35 years old

  • with a history of in vitro fertilization

It is seen as a smaller separate lobe of similar echotexture to the main placental disc. It is important to establish the location of any connecting vessels, and in particular to look for any vascular connection crossing the internal os (i.e. vasa previa).

The term "succenturiate" derives from the Latin word "succenturio" meaning "to substitute".

If more than one lobe of the placenta is confidently seen in an antenatal scan consider:

For a focal area of increased thickening on ultrasound also consider:

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