Morphological and histological study of umbilical cord at delivery

Abstract

Background: The umbilical cord is the life line of fetus and its vital blood vessels are the most vulnerable part of the fetal anatomy.

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to recognize the insertion site and to study the histological appearance of the cord at different gestational periods.

Results: The study revealed that eccentric site of location was 64.99% the central insertion 28.33% and marginal insertion 6.66%.

Conclusion: Microscopic study of umbilical artery revealed that the measurements of thickness of muscular layer (tunica media) was increased from 0.6µm at the third month of gestation to 9.2µm at ninth month (at delivery) which may explain the increase in strength and elasticity of the cord against torsion and compression as the fetus became near the term.