Where should a technician select tissue from when submitting placental tissue for chromosome analysis to optimize fetal cell acquisition?

When submitting placental tissue for chromosome analysis, selecting tissue from the fetal side of the specimen is crucial for optimizing fetal cell acquisition. The placenta has distinct regions, with the fetal side containing chorionic villi that are rich in fetal cells.

These chorionic villi are finger-like projections that facilitate nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and fetus, and they are primarily composed of fetal tissue. Collecting samples from this area increases the likelihood of obtaining viable fetal cells necessary for chromosomal analysis.

In contrast, the maternal side consists mainly of maternal tissue and decidual cells, which are less relevant for fetal chromosome studies. This tissue does not provide the needed fetal genetic material, making it less effective for this purpose. While collecting from the middle of the specimen could yield some fetal tissue, it does not specifically target the area with the highest concentration of fetal cells, thereby diminishing the chances of successful analysis.