The spelling of the word "omphalomesenteric duct" can be challenging due to its combination of Greek and Latin roots. Its pronunciation is /ɒm.fə.ləʊ.mɪ.sɛnˈtɛr.ɪk dʌkt/. "Omphalo-" means "navel," "mesenteric" refers to the mesentery (a membrane that attaches the intestines to the abdominal wall), and "duct" is a tube or passage. Therefore, the omphalomesenteric duct is a tube connecting the embryo's abdomen to the yolk sac during early development. Though a complicated word, it illustrates the richness of language and medical terminology.
The omphalomesenteric duct, also known as the vitelline duct, is a temporary embryonic structure that forms during early development in vertebrate embryos. It serves as a connection between the developing midgut (part of the primitive gut or alimentary canal) and the yolk sac of the developing embryo.
During the early stages of embryogenesis, the yolk sac plays a crucial role in providing nutrients to the developing embryo. The omphalomesenteric duct acts as a conduit for the transportation of these nutrients from the yolk sac to the midgut. It enables the transfer of essential substances such as proteins, lipids, and other nutrients between these structures, facilitating proper growth and development of the embryo.
In normal development, the omphalomesenteric duct eventually undergoes a process called physiological involution, leading to its disappearance or closure. The midgut, which initially receives its nourishment through the duct, gradually becomes connected to the rest of the digestive tract. Failure of the omphalomesenteric duct to close properly can result in various congenital anomalies, such as omphalomesenteric cysts, diverticula, or fistulae. These abnormalities may require medical intervention to prevent complications and ensure the proper functioning of the digestive system.
In summary, the omphalomesenteric duct is a transient structure that connects the developing midgut to the yolk sac during early embryonic development, providing a pathway for the transfer of nutrients.
• Umbilical d.
• The vitelline or vitellointestinal duct, a passage, in the embryo, between the yolk-sac and the midgut; a remnant of this sometimes persists in the adult as Meckel's diverticulum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "omphalomesenteric duct" is derived from Greek roots.
- "Omphalo" comes from the Greek word "omphalos", meaning "navel" or "belly button".
- "Mesenteric" originates from the Greek word "mesos", which means "middle", and "enteros", which means "intestine". In medical terminology, "mesentery" refers to the tissue that attaches the intestines to the abdominal wall.
- "Duct" comes from the Latin word "ductus", meaning "a tube" or "a conduit".
Therefore, "omphalomesenteric duct" can be understood as a tube connecting the belly button (omphalo) to the middle part of the intestine (mesenteric).