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introductionstatpearls· Introduction· item NBK557389

The umbilical cord serves as the biological lifeline between mother and fetus, functioning as a conduit for blood and nutrients while transferring fetal waste products to the placenta. Beyond its anatomical significance, the umbilical cord carries spiritual importance in many cultures, representing both a physical and symbolic connection between mother and unborn child. Severance of the cord marks the child's entry into society. Poets have called it "the thread of life." A crucial structure formed during the early stages of embryological development, the umbilical cord consists of a bundle of blood vessels enclosed within a tubular sheath of amnion. The structure typically contains 2 umbilical arteries and 1 umbilical vein. The umbilical arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta during fetal development.[1] After birth, the distal portions of these arteries undergo degeneration and give rise to the medial umbilical ligaments.[2] The proximal segments persist and contribute to the formation of the anterior division of the internal iliac arteries. These blood vessels subsequently give rise to the superior vesical arteries, which supply the urinary bladder, ureters, and, in the male body, the ductus deferens and seminal vesicles.[3][4] The umbilical cord maintains a critical role throughout gestation by securing the fetus to the placenta and uterine wall and enabling continuous blood circulation between the fetus and the placenta.[5]