Monochorionic twins

Monochorionic twins are monozygotic (identical) twins that share the same placenta. If the placenta is shared by more than two twins (see multiple birth), these are monochorionic multiples. Monochorionic twins occur in 0.3% of all pregnancies. 75% of monozygotic twin pregnancies are monochorionic; the remaining 25% are dichorionic diamniotic. If the placenta divides, this takes place after the third day after fertilization. Monochorionic twins are monozygotic (identical) twins that share the same placenta. If the placenta is shared by more than two twins (see multiple birth), these are monochorionic multiples. Monochorionic twins occur in 0.3% of all pregnancies. 75% of monozygotic twin pregnancies are monochorionic; the remaining 25% are dichorionic diamniotic. If the placenta divides, this takes place after the third day after fertilization. Monochorionic twins generally have two amniotic sacs (called Monochorionic-Diamniotic 'MoDi'), but sometimes, in the case of monoamniotic twins (Monochorionic-Monoamniotic 'MoMo'), they also share the same amniotic sac. Monoamniotic twins occur when the split takes place after the ninth day after fertilization. Monoamniotic twins are always monozygotic (identical twins). Monochorionic-Diamniotic twins are almost always monozygotic, with a few exceptions where the blastocysts have fused. By performing an obstetric ultrasound at a gestational age of 10–14 weeks, monochorionic-diamniotic twins are discerned from dichorionic twins. The presence of a 'T-sign' at the inter-twin membrane-placental junction is indicative of monochorionic-diamniotic twins (that is, the junction between the inter-twin membrane and the external rim forms a right angle), whereas dichorionic twins present with a 'lambda (λ) sign' (that is, the chorion forms a wedge-shaped protrusion into the inter-twin space, creating a rather curved junction). The 'lambda sign' is also called the 'twin peak sign'. At ultrasound at a gestational age of 16–20 weeks, the 'lambda sign' is indicative of dichorionicity but its absence does not exclude it.