umbilical cord

cord (kord) any long, cylindrical, flexible structure.

---

genital cord  in the embryo, the midline fused caudal part of the two urogenital ridges, each containing a mesonephric and paramesonephric duct.

gubernacular cord  a portion of the gubernaculum testis or of the round ligament of the uterus that develops in the inguinal crest and adjoining body wall.

sexual cords  the seminiferous tubules of the early fetus.

spermatic cord  the structure extending from the abdominal inguinal ring to the testis, comprising the pampiniform plexus, nerves, ductus deferens, testicular artery, and other vessels.

spinal cord  that part of the central nervous system lodged in the vertebral canal, extending from the foramen magnum to the upper part of the lumbar region.

umbilical cord  the structure connecting the fetus and placenta, and containing the vessels through which fetal blood passes to and from the placenta.

vocal cords  folds of mucous membrane in the larynx; the superior pair are called the false vocal cords and the inferior, the true vocal cords.

Willis' cords  fibrous bands traversing the inferior angle of the superior sagittal sinus.

---

umbilical cord

n.

The flexible cordlike structure connecting a fetus at the navel with the placenta and containing two umbilical arteries and one vein that transport nourishment to the fetus and remove its wastes. Also called funis.

---

Umbilical cord

The blood vessels that allow the developing baby to receive nutrition and oxygen from its mother; the blood vessels also eliminate the baby's waste products. One end of the umbilical cord is attached to the placenta and the other end is attached to the baby's belly button (umbilicus).

Mentioned in: Placenta Previa, Placental Abruption

---

umbilical cord,

a flexible structure connecting the umbilicus with the placenta in the gravid uterus and giving passage to the two umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein. In the newborn it is about 2 feet long and ½ inch in diameter. First formed during the fifth week of pregnancy from the connecting stalk, it contains the yolk sac, stalk, and allantois. Also called the chorda umbilicalis, funiculus umbilicalis. See also allantois.

---

cord

any long, cylindrical, flexible structure.

---

angiogenic cord

the embryonic beginnings in the lateral mesenchyme of the dorsal aortae and aortic arches; at first solid they later become patent.

scirrhous cord

enlargement of the stump of the spermatic cord, common only in pigs and horses, and usually obvious within a few weeks of castration. The swelling may cause lameness, is painful and may be accompanied by systemic signs of fever and toxemia. The lesion is a mass of fibrous tissue interspersed with small abscess cavities and sinus tracts.

spermatic cord

the structure extending from the abdominal inguinal ring to the testis, comprising the pampiniform plexus, nerves, ductus deferens, cremaster muscle, vaginal tunics, testicular artery and other vessels.

spinal cord

see spinal cord.

umbilical cord

the structure connecting the fetus and placenta, and containing the channels through which fetal blood passes to and from the placenta.

vocal c's

see vocal cords.

---

umbilical

pertaining to the umbilicus.

---

umbilical abscess

see urachal abscess.

umbilical clamp

used in calves and foals for the closed method of herniorrhaphy. Consists of two lightweight bars that can be screwed together very tightly. The herniated gut is evacuated from the hernia and the clamp applied to as much of the hernial pouch as can be included. The tissue beyond the clamp sloughs and the clamp can be removed.

umbilical cord

see umbilical cord.

umbilical cord infection

see omphalitis.

umbilical diverticulum

an evagination of the bowel wall at the vestigial point of attachment of the yolk sac. Called also Meckel's diverticulum.

umbilical gas gangrene

umbilicus infected with Clostridium septicum, C. oedematiens.

umbilical hemorrhage

a specific syndrome in newborn piglets. Bleeding from fleshy navel, also from ear notching, causes fatal anemia. The cause is unknown.

umbilical hernia

protrusion of abdominal contents through the abdominal wall at the umbilicus, the defect in the abdominal wall and protruding intestine being covered with skin and subcutaneous tissue. Occurs sporadically in all species and inherited in cattle and some breeds of dogs. Soft swelling at umbilicus is reducible into the abdomen through a palpable ring. May accompany omphalitis.

Umbilical hernia in a foal. By permission from Knottenbelt DC, Pascoe RR, Diseases and Disorders of the Horse, Saunders, 2003

umbilical hernia strangulation

the intestinal loop in the hernia becomes incarcerated with its lumen occluded and its blood supply compromised.

umbilical inflammation

see omphalitis.

umbilical occlusion

as when the umbilical cord is trapped between the fetus and the wall of the birth canal, causing loss of the fetal blood supply.

umbilical sinus

created by persistence of only the distal end of the intraembryonic allantoic stalk at the umbilicus.

umbilical tape

cotton tape, about 0.5 inch, with two selvedge edges. Used to tie off an umbilicus in calves and foals.

umbilical vein

one of a pair of veins which return oxygenated blood from the placenta through the umbilical cord to the ductus venosus and thence to the heart.

umbilical vein infection

see omphalophlebitis.

umbilical vein abscess

residual after subsidence of acute omphalophlebitis.

---

infanticide

Forensic medicine The active or semi-passive killing of a viable conceptus > 20 gestational wks, which breathes spontaneously. See Battered child syndrome, Child abuse. Cf Stillbirth.

Infanticide, diagnosis of  

'Hard' criteria

•  Comparison of gastric fluid composition with that of a toilet bowel-active drowning

•  Peural surfaces with petechiae Seen in induced suffocation, most significant when coupled with hematomas and petechiae on the mouth and epiglottis; the lingual frenulum may be torn and the lips bruised, indicating active attempts to suffocate infant

•  Lungs Stillbirth lungs are not aerated and do not float

•  Edematous foam on nostrils An indicator of active breathing

•  Meconium Resuscitation of a true stillborn may push meconium into the perianal region, but extensive staining of the placenta and umbilical cord is due to antenatal stress

'Soft' criteria

•  Denial of pregnancy If the woman is obese or a dullard, she may not know she was pregnant

•  Rigor mortis A finding that is poorly appreciated in neonates

•  Impression of the body in soil, blood, or fomites, requiring diligent and timely scene investigation

•  Maceration of skin A finding typical of stillbirth

•  Putrefaction Stillborns do not putrefy as they have sterile bowels

•  Umbilical cord A cut cord indicates active intervention-time undetermined; an intact cord is consistent with stillbirth

•  Determination of age Viability, most fetuses born before 18 wks of gestation die despite resuscitative efforts, age is determined by skeletal dating, antenatal studies corroborating fetal death, eg Spaulding sign of in utero death characterized by overlapping cranial bones