Umbilical cord

In placental mammals, the umbilical cord is a tube that connects a developing embryo or fetus to its placenta. It contains major arteries and veins (notably two umbilical arteries and umbilical vein, buried within Wharton's jelly) for the exchange of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood between the embryo and placenta. When the animal is born, the umbilical cord is severed. The umbilical stub on the newborn's belly dries and comes off after a few days. It leaves only a small scar (the umbilicus) behind. In some cultures the umbilical cord is cut by the father of the baby.

Related Topics:
Mammal - Embryo - Fetus - Placenta - Arteries - Vein - Umbilical arteries - Umbilical vein - Wharton's jelly - Nutrient - Oxygen - Blood - Umbilicus - Father

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The umbilical cord develops from, and contains, remnants of the yolk sac and allantois.

Related Topics:
Yolk sac - Allantois

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In humans, the umbilical cord in a full term fetus is usually about 50 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter.

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