The umbilical cord develops from and contains remnants of the yolk sac and allantois. It forms by the fifth week of development, replacing the yolk sac as the source of nutrients for the embryo. The cord is not directly connected to the mother's circulatory system, but instead joins the placenta, which transfers materials to and from the maternal blood without allowing direct mixing. The length of the umbilical cord is approximately equal to the crown-rump length of the fetus throughout pregnancy. The umbilical cord in a full term neonate is usually about 50 centimeters (20 in) long and about 2 centimeters (0.75 in) in diameter. This diameter decreases rapidly within the placenta. The fully patent umbilical artery has two main layers: an outer layer consisting of circularly arranged smooth muscle cells and an inner layer which shows rather irregularly and loosely arranged cells embedded in abundant ground substance staining metachromatic. The smooth muscle cells of the layer are rather poorly differentiated, contain only a few tiny myofilaments and are thereby unlikely to contribute actively to the process of post-natal closure.
The umbilical cord lining is a good source of mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells. Their advantages include a better harvesting, and multiplication, and immunosuppressive properties that define their potential for use in transplantations. Their use would also overcome the ethical objections raised by the use of embryonic stem cells.
Last Updated on: Oct 06, 2024List of Open Access Journals View More
Dermatology Case Reports: Open Access Journal
DCROAJ welcome authors to contribute current research and reports, clinical studies, review articles, short communication, editorial, letter to editor, survey reports submission of manuscripts related to devices in dermatology, dermatology studies, new technology in dermatology, biological materials, venereology, leprology etc....View More
Academic Journal of Chemical Engineering
AJCE is a scholarly open access peer-reviewed journal aim to publish be valuable source of information in field of Chemical science, biophysics, engineering, environmental science, medicine, physical science current research in the field....View More
Nanomedicine and Nanoscience Technology: Open Access
Nanomedicine and Nanoscience Technology: Open Access is an Open Access journal and aims to publish most complete and reliable source of information on the applications, discoveries and current developments on nanomedicine and nanoscience technology in the mode of original articles...View More
Journal of Environmental and Pollution
JEP is a scholarly open access peer-reviewed journal aim to publish be valuable source of information both experimental and theoretical in the field of environmental issues and Pollution and its applications...View More
Health and Preventive Medicine Journal
Health and Preventive Medicine Journal (HPMJ) is a scholarly open access peer-reviewed journal aim to publish be valuable source of information both experimental and theoretical in field of Health science, Epidemiology, Health management and Preventive medicine...View More
Department of Applied Food and Nutrition Journal
DAFNJ is a scholarly open access peer-reviewed journal aim to publish be valuable source of information both clinical, experimental and theoretical in field of Food science, Food policy and Nutrition....View More