Umbilical cord
The umbilical cord is the ropelike structure that connects an unborn child (fetus) to the placenta in the mother's uterus. Blood vessels in the cord bring nourishment to the fetus and take away waste products.
The umbilical cord is formed in the fifth week of pregnancy.
When the baby is born, the umbilical cord is about 2 ft (0.61 m) long.
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kimberly Dow, MD, FRCPC - Neonatology |
| Last Updated | March 19, 2009 |
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: March 19, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Kimberly Dow, MD, FRCPC - Neonatology |
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