Questions and Answers
What is the function of the umbilical cord?
What forms the outer covering of the umbilical cord?
Amniotic membrane
What does the umbilical vein carry?
Oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus
What do the umbilical arteries do?
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The cord develops by ____ weeks gestational age through fusion of the allantois and the yolk stalk.
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What is Wharton's jelly?
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What happens to the right umbilical vein normally?
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Where should the placental insertion enter?
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The appearance of the umbilical cord shows that the umbilical vein is larger with 2 smaller ____ spiraling around it.
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A short umbilical cord is less than 35 cm long.
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What conditions are associated with a long umbilical cord?
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What is atretic umbilical cord?
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What is associated with gestational diabetes regarding the umbilical cord?
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Study Notes
Umbilical Cord Overview
- Serves as the "lifeline" for a fetus, providing a vital connection to the placenta for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients.
- Typical diameter ranges from 1 to 2 cm and normal length is between 40 to 60 cm.
- Development occurs by 7 weeks gestational age through the fusion of the allantois and the yolk stalk.
Structures of the Umbilical Cord
- Amniotic Membrane: Forms the outer covering of the umbilical cord.
- Wharton's Jelly: Gel-like substance surrounding the vessels of the cord, acting as a shock absorber and support.
Blood Vessels
- Umbilical Vein: Carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus; enters the fetus from the cord at the umbilicus and runs to the left portal vein.
- Umbilical Arteries: Two arteries (right and left) transport deoxygenated blood from the fetus back to the placenta and arise from the internal iliac arteries.
Variations and Anomalies
- Right Umbilical Vein: Normally regresses by 6 weeks of gestation; persistence is rare and may be associated with anomalies.
- Atretic Umbilical Cord: Characterized by a cord that is essentially absent, with the fetal abdomen directly attached to the placenta; omphalocele generally coexists.
- Short Umbilical Cord: Defined as shorter than 35 cm; linked to oligohydramnios, intrauterine crowding, fetal anomalies, and complications such as cord compression and fetal distress.
Cord Characteristics and Conditions
- Straight Cord: Lacks normal spirals; correlates with reduced fetal movement and poorer pregnancy outcomes.
- Long Umbilical Cord: Exceeds 80 cm in length; associated with polyhydramnios, nuchal cords, cord knots, and potential complications like vasa previa and fetal distress.
- Umbilical Cord Appearance: Normally, the cord has a left twist with the larger umbilical vein centrally located and two smaller arteries spiraling around it.
Placental and Insertion Points
- Umbilical Insertion: Should connect smoothly to the fetal abdomen without mass or defect.
- Placental Insertion: Ideally should center itself within the placenta, maintaining its structure until entering it.
Impact of Gestational Conditions
- Gestational Diabetes: Linked to an enlarged umbilical cord due to increased Wharton's jelly presence; also associated with fetal hydrops and poor outcomes.
- Cord Twists: Right twist corresponds to abnormal artery spirals and may signify increased risk of fetal anomalies.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the embryological structure of the umbilical cord with these flashcards. Learn important terms such as the umbilical vein and amniotic membrane, and understand their roles in fetal development.
