A STRUCTURE THAT DEVELOPS DURING PREGNANCY WHICH ACT AS A CONNECTING LINK BETWEEN FETUS AND PLACENTA

1. P R E S E N T E D B Y :
S R U J A N I S W E T A S I N A D A S H
N U R S I N G T U T O R
G . N . M . I N S T I T U T E ,
A . N . M . M . C . H , G A Y A
UMBILICAL CORD

2. OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 DEVELOPMENT
 ATTACHMENT
 CHARACTERISTICS
 FUNCTION
 ABNORMALITIES
 CONCLUSION
 ASSIGNMENT
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

3. INTRODUCTION
 DEFINITION:
A structure, develops during pregnancy, which forms
the connecting link between the fetus and placenta.
 LOCATION:
Extends from the fetal umbilicus to
the fetal surface of placenta.

4. DEVELOPMENT
 Developed from body stalk or connective stalk which
is present at the caudal end of embryonic disc.
 When the amniotic cavity is enlarged and distended
with fluid, the embryo is carried deeply into the
cavity resulting in elongation of stalk and hence the
cord.
 Developed by 5th week.

6. ATTACHMENT
 Attached centrally to the fetal surface of placenta.
 This type of central insertion is called as eccentric
insertion.

7. CHARACTERISTICS
 LENGTH: About 40-50 cm
 DIAMETER: 1.5cm with variation of 1- 2.5cm
 THICKNESS: It is not uniform due to nodes or
swelling at places. Theses swelling
are called as ‘False Knots’.
 APPEARANCE: Tube like structure, grayish white in
color, slippery
 BLOOD VESSELS: 2 Umbilical artery and 1 Umbilical
vein
 The whole cord is covered in a layer of amnion and blood vessels,
and “Wharton’s jelly” are enclosed within it

8. FUNCTIONS
 It carries umbilical vessels which transports oxygen,
nutrients, waste products between placenta and
fetus.
 Wharton’s jelly protects the umbilical vessels.
 Act as connecting link between placenta and fetus.

9. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 VELAMENTOUS INSERTION: The umbilical
cord is attached to membranes.
 BATTLEDORE PLACENTA: The umbilical cord is
attached to margin of placenta.

10. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 SHORT CORD: The length of cord is less than
20cm.
 LONG CORD: The length of cord is more than
100cm.
 CORD LOOPING: Long cord results in looping
around neck or body.

11. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD PROLAPSE: The descent of umbilical cord
through cervix. It is of two types:-
Occult- Cord descents alongside.
Overt- Cord descents past the presenting part

12. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD COMPRESSION: Obstruction of blood flow
through umbilical vessels.
 CORD PRESENTATION: Presence of umbilical cord
between fetal presenting part and cervix.

13. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD KNOTTING: Two types of cord knotting-
a. False Knot- Cord appears to be knotted due to
accumulation of wharton’s jelly or kinking of
blood vessels.
b. True knot-Presence of actual knotting of cord.

14. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD STRICTURE: Constriction or occlusion of
cord.
 ABNORMAL UMBILICAL VESSEL: Presence of
single umbilical artery.

15. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD CYST: Presence of cyst in cord.
 CORD VARIX: Dilatation of umbilical vein at any
portion.

16. ABNORMALITIES OF CORD
 CORD HEMATOMA: Accumulation of blood in
cord.
 CORD ULCERATION: Ulcer formation in cord.

17. CONCLUSION
 Umbilical cord is an important structure which
provides a connecting link between placenta and
fetus.

18. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Dutta D.C, “Textbook Of Obstetrics”, New Central
Book Agency(P)LTD, 6th edition, Pg.28-29
 Jacob Annamma, “A Comprehensive Textbook of
Midwifery”, Jaypee Brothers Medical
Publishers(P)LTD, 2nd edition, Pg.75-78
 Myles, “ Textbook for Midwives”, Churchill
Livingstone Publishers, 13th edition, Pg.143-147

19. EVALUATION
CLASS TEST OF 10 MARKS FOR 10 MINUTES .
I. Fill in the blanks: 5×1= 5
 Length of Cord is______________.
 Cord is developed from ______________.
 Umbilical Cord is developed by __________ weeks.
 Cord is attached to ______________ surface of
placenta.
 ________ is a gelatinous that encloses umbilical
vessels.
II. Write down the functions of umbilical cord. 2

20. III. Identify the variations of cord: 3×1= 3
a.
b.
c.

21. ANSWER KEY
I. Fill in the blanks:
 Length of Cord is 40-50cm.
 Cord is developed from body stalk/connecting stalk.
 Umbilical Cord is developed by 5th week
 Cord is attached to fetal surface of placenta.
 Wharton’s jelly is a gelatinous that encloses umbilical vessels.
II. Write down the functions of umbilical cord.
 It carries umbilical vessels which transports oxygen,
nutrients, waste products between placenta and fetus.
 Wharton’s jelly protects the umbilical vessels.
 Act as connecting link between placenta and fetus.

22. III. Identify the variations of cord:
a. True Cord Knot
b.Cord Stricture
c. Cord Cyst