UMBILICAL ARTERY Meaning and
Definition
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The umbilical artery is a vital blood vessel that is present in the umbilical cord of a developing fetus. It is responsible for carrying oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, ensuring its proper growth and development during pregnancy.
The umbilical artery arises from the fetal internal iliac artery and bifurcates into two branches, often referred to as the left and right umbilical arteries. These vessels serve as channels for the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the fetus and the mother's placenta.
As the umbilical artery transports blood from the fetus to the placenta, it is enriched with essential oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously carrying away waste materials such as carbon dioxide and metabolic byproducts. This exchange occurs within the placental villi, which are responsible for facilitating the transfer of substances between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams.
After birth, the umbilical cord is typically clamped and cut, resulting in the separation of the infant from the placenta. At this point, the umbilical artery, along with the umbilical vein, becomes obsolete and gradually closes through a process known as physiological closure. The remnants of these vessels form ligaments in the abdominal region, such as the medial umbilical ligaments.
In summary, the umbilical artery plays a crucial role in fetal development, acting as a conduit for oxygen and nutrients necessary for growth, while also facilitating the removal of waste products.
Common Misspellings for UMBILICAL ARTERY
- ymbilical artery
- hmbilical artery
- jmbilical artery
- imbilical artery
- 8mbilical artery
- 7mbilical artery
- unbilical artery
- ukbilical artery
- ujbilical artery
- umvilical artery
- umnilical artery
- umhilical artery
- umgilical artery
- umbulical artery
- umbjlical artery
- umbklical artery
- umbolical artery
- umb9lical artery
- umb8lical artery
- umbikical artery
Etymology of UMBILICAL ARTERY
The word "umbilical artery" has a Latin origin.
Etymologically, the term can be broken down as follows:
1. "Umbilical" derives from the Latin word "umbilicus", which means "navel" or "belly button". The Latin word was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂n̥bʰi-luh₂", meaning "navel" or "central point". This was later developed into the Latin word "umbilīcus".
2. "Artery" comes from the Latin word "arteria", which originally referred to the windpipe (trachea). The Latin term was derived from the Ancient Greek word "ἀρτηρία" (artēría) with a similar meaning. The word later had its meaning extended to include blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
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