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Frontiers of Medicine

ISSN 2095-0217

ISSN 2095-0225(Online)

CN 11-5983/R

Postal Subscription Code 80-967

2018 Impact Factor: 1.847

Front. Med.    2016, Vol. 10 Issue (3) : 271-277    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-016-0457-8
REVIEW
Anatomy and embryology of umbilicus in newborns: a review and clinical correlations
Abdelmonem A. Hegazy()
Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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Abstract

Umbilicus is considered a mirror of the abdomen in newborns. Despite its importance, the umbilicus has been stated in literature and textbooks as discrete subjects with many body systems, such as the urinary, digestive, and cardiovascular ones. This article aimed to address the basic knowledge of the umbilicus in relation to clinical disorders under one integrated topic to aid physicians and surgeons in assessing newborns and infants. The umbilicus appears as early as the fourth week of fetal life when the folding of the embryonic plate occurs. The umbilicus appears initially as a primitive umbilical ring on the ventral aspect of the body. The primitive umbilicus contains the connecting stalk, umbilical vessels, vitelline duct and vessels, allantois, and loop of the intestine. Changes occur to form the definitive cord, which contains three umbilical vessels, namely, “one vein and two arteries,” embedded in Wharton’s jelly. After birth, the umbilical vessels inside the body obliterate and gradually form ligaments. Congenital disorders at the umbilicus include herniation, bleeding, and discharge of mucous, urine, or feces. Some of these disorders necessitate emergent surgical interference, whereas others may be managed conservatively. The umbilicus has many embryological remnants. Thus, the umbilicus is prone to various clinical disorders. Detecting these disorders as early as possible is essential to prevent or minimize possible complications.

Keywords anatomy      embryology      newborns      umbilicus     
Corresponding Author(s): Abdelmonem A. Hegazy   
Just Accepted Date: 28 June 2016   Online First Date: 29 July 2016    Issue Date: 30 August 2016
 Cite this article:   
Abdelmonem A. Hegazy. Anatomy and embryology of umbilicus in newborns: a review and clinical correlations[J]. Front. Med., 2016, 10(3): 271-277.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/10.1007/s11684-016-0457-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/Y2016/V10/I3/271
Fig.1  Diagrams showing the (A) folding of the embryo and formation of the primitive umbilical cord and (B) definitive umbilical cord.
Fig.2  Diagram showing the arrangement of the ligaments at the umbilicus.
Fig.3  Diagrams showing vitelline duct’s remnants.
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