pluripotent stem cells the term u201c pluripotent cell u201d refers to a cell that has complete differentiation versatility i e the capacity to grow into any of the mammalian body 39 s cell types except for the extraembryonic tissues a pluripotent stem cell can be self renewing and can remain dormant or quiescent within a tissue the term u201c multipotent stem cell u201d refers to a cell that has the capacity to grow into two or more different cell types within a given tissue or organ a multipotent stem cell may have the capacity to be pluripotent the term u201c progenitor cell u201d refers to a cell that is committed to differentiate into a specific cell type or form a specific type of tissue the term u201c placenta derived stem cells u201d is used herein to refer to a cell that is derived from the placenta the placental derived stem cells can be administered systemically or to a target anatomical site permitting the cells to differentiate in response to the physiological signals encountered by the cell e g site specific differentiation alternatively the cells may undergo ex vivo differentiation prior to administration into a patient placenta derived stem cells are further divided into human amniotic epithelial cells haec human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells hamsc human chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells hcmsc and human chorionic trophoblastic cells hctc the term u201c amnion u201d refers to a membranous sac that surrounds and protects the embryo its primary function is the protection of the embryo for its future development into a fetus and eventually an animal the amnion.