Velamentous is a term used in obstetrics to describe a condition where the umbilical cord of a fetus compromises its protection due to its abnormal attachment to the placenta. The phonetic transcription of velamentous is /vəˈlæməntəs/, pronounced as "vuh-lam-uhn-tuhs". The word originates from the Latin term, "velamentum", meaning a veil, and commonly used to refer to the thin membrane covering the head of a newborn baby during delivery. It is essential to spell and pronounce velamentous correctly in medical settings to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Velamentous is an adjective that refers to a condition or characteristic related to the abnormal attachment and positioning of the umbilical cord in a fetus during pregnancy. This medical term specifically describes when the umbilical blood vessels separate from the placenta and travel unprotected within the amniotic sac, before reattaching to the placenta during the later stages of pregnancy. This phenomenon occurs in a small percentage of pregnancies and is considered a potentially risky condition.
The velamentous cord is not securely embedded within the placental tissue, as it should be, and instead runs along the fetal membranes. This type of abnormal attachment is typically observed in cases where the placenta is not centrally located in the uterus or when it is attached to the membranes instead of the uterine wall. Velamentous cord insertion can potentially lead to complications during childbirth, such as fetal distress or hemorrhage, especially if the blood vessels are prone to compression or tearing. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor pregnancies with velamentous cord insertion and take appropriate precautions and interventions when necessary.
Overall, the term velamentous describes the abnormal attachment of the umbilical cord wherein the blood vessels are exposed rather than protected within the placental tissue during pregnancy.
Expanded in the form of a sheet or veil.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "velamentous" comes from the Latin term "velamentum", which means "veil" or "covering". It is derived from the verb "velare", which means "to cover" or "to veil". The word "velamentous" is primarily used in the medical field to describe a condition in which the blood vessels that support the umbilical cord are not properly surrounded by Wharton's jelly, resulting in increased risk during pregnancy and childbirth.