Umbilical vein: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:35, 10 February 2025

Vein present during fetal development

Umbilical vein

The umbilical vein is a vital component of the fetal circulatory system, responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the placenta to the growing fetus. This vein is a crucial part of the umbilical cord, which connects the fetus to the placenta.

Anatomy

The umbilical vein originates from the placenta, where it collects oxygen-rich blood. It travels through the umbilical cord, entering the fetal body at the umbilicus. Once inside the fetus, the umbilical vein ascends towards the liver, where it bifurcates into two branches. One branch joins the portal vein, while the other forms the ductus venosus, which bypasses the liver and connects directly to the inferior vena cava.

Diagram of the fetal circulation, showing the umbilical vein.

Function

The primary function of the umbilical vein is to deliver oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. This blood is rich in nutrients and oxygen, essential for fetal development. The umbilical vein plays a critical role in maintaining the fetal oxygen supply, as the fetus does not breathe air and relies entirely on the placenta for oxygen exchange.

Closure after birth

After birth, the umbilical vein closes as part of the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation. The closure is a physiological process that occurs when the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The remnant of the umbilical vein becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis, a fibrous cord in the liver.

Clinical significance

In some medical procedures, such as exchange transfusions, the umbilical vein can be accessed for intravenous therapy in newborns. This is due to its size and accessibility shortly after birth.

Related pages

References

Moore, Keith L.; Persaud, T.V.N. (2003). The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-9412-8.
Sadler, T.W. (2012). Langman's Medical Embryology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-1-4511-4460-9.

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-'''Umbilical vein'''
+{{Short description|Vein present during fetal development}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-The '''Umbilical vein''' is a vein present during [[fetal development]] that carries oxygenated blood from the [[placenta]] to the growing [[fetus]]. It is part of the [[umbilical cord]], which also includes two [[umbilical arteries]].
+==Umbilical vein==
+The '''umbilical vein''' is a vital component of the fetal circulatory system, responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the placenta to the growing fetus. This vein is a crucial part of the [[umbilical cord]], which connects the fetus to the placenta.
-==Structure==
+==Anatomy==
-The umbilical vein is located within the umbilical cord. It begins at the placenta and travels towards the fetus, where it enters the body at the [[umbilicus]], or navel. Inside the body, the umbilical vein continues as the [[ductus venosus]], a shunt that allows the blood to bypass the [[liver]] and enter the [[inferior vena cava]].
+The umbilical vein originates from the [[placenta]], where it collects oxygen-rich blood. It travels through the umbilical cord, entering the fetal body at the [[umbilicus]]. Once inside the fetus, the umbilical vein ascends towards the liver, where it bifurcates into two branches. One branch joins the [[portal vein]], while the other forms the [[ductus venosus]], which bypasses the liver and connects directly to the [[inferior vena cava]].
+[[File:Gray502.png|thumb|Diagram of the fetal circulation, showing the umbilical vein.]]
 ==Function==
-The primary function of the umbilical vein is to carry oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus. This blood provides the fetus with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow and develop.
+The primary function of the umbilical vein is to deliver oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. This blood is rich in nutrients and oxygen, essential for fetal development. The umbilical vein plays a critical role in maintaining the fetal oxygen supply, as the fetus does not breathe air and relies entirely on the placenta for oxygen exchange.
+==Closure after birth==
+After birth, the umbilical vein closes as part of the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation. The closure is a physiological process that occurs when the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The remnant of the umbilical vein becomes the [[ligamentum teres hepatis]], a fibrous cord in the liver.
 ==Clinical significance==
-After birth, the umbilical vein and the ductus venosus close off and become fibrous cords. The part of the umbilical vein that remains in the liver becomes the [[round ligament of the liver]]. In some cases, the umbilical vein may remain open, a condition known as [[patent ductus venosus]].
+In some medical procedures, such as [[exchange transfusion]]s, the umbilical vein can be accessed for intravenous therapy in newborns. This is due to its size and accessibility shortly after birth.
-==See also==
+==Related pages==
 * [[Umbilical artery]]
-* [[Umbilical cord]]
+* [[Fetal circulation]]
+* [[Placenta]]
 * [[Ductus venosus]]
-* [[Placenta]]
-* [[Fetal circulation]]
 ==References==
-<references />
+* Moore, Keith L.; Persaud, T.V.N. (2003). ''The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology''. Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-9412-8.
+* Sadler, T.W. (2012). ''Langman's Medical Embryology''. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-1-4511-4460-9.
-[[Category:Veins]]
+[[Category:Veins of the torso]]
 [[Category:Embryology]]
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
+[[Category:Obstetrics]]
-{{stub}}