Final answer:
Chorionic villus is not another term for placenta; rather, it is a part of the placenta responsible for the exchange of nutrients and wastes between maternal and fetal blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that chorionic villus is another term for placenta is false. The chorionic villi are actually part of the placenta and play a crucial role in nutrient and waste exchange between the mother and the developing fetus. The chorionic villi are finger-like projections from the chorionic membrane that embed into the endometrium. They develop blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of substances between the maternal and fetal blood, while the maternal and fetal bloodstreams remain separate. The placenta is a complex organ consisting of maternal and fetal tissues, where the chorionic villi form the fetal portion of this vital structure.