UMBILICAL DUCT Meaning and
Definition
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The umbilical duct, also known as the urachus, refers to a tubular structure located in the umbilical region of a mammalian fetus, which connects the bladder to the umbilicus (belly button). It serves as a vital channel for the transportation of urine from the fetus to the placenta during the early stages of development.
Initially, the umbilical duct is essential for the elimination of fetal waste products into the amniotic fluid, preventing their accumulation and potential harm to the developing organism. It acts as a conduit for the urine excreted by the fetal kidneys, allowing it to reach the placenta. Within the placenta, the waste is then cleared from the fetus's circulatory system, essentially serving as a primitive urinary system until the permanent kidneys develop.
As the fetus matures throughout pregnancy, the umbilical duct gradually undergoes regression and eventually becomes the median umbilical ligament, a fibrous cord-like structure that connects the urinary bladder to the anterior abdominal wall. This transformation occurs as the fetal urinary system matures and the bladder and urethra fully develop, enabling direct voiding of urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
In some cases, anomalies or malformations of the umbilical duct can occur, leading to conditions such as urachal cysts or patent urachus. These abnormalities, characterized by the persistence of the umbilical duct beyond birth, often require medical intervention to prevent complications and ensure the normal function of the urinary system.
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• A canal in the embryo connecting the umbilical vesicle and the intestine.
• Omphalomesenteric duct.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for UMBILICAL DUCT
- umbilical duc4
- umbilical ducd
- umbilical ducp
- umbilical ducv
- umbilical ducu
- u mbilical duct
- um bilical duct
- umb ilical duct
- umbi lical duct
- umbil ical duct
- umbili cal duct
- umbilic al duct
- umbilica l duct
- umbilical d uct
- umbilical du ct
- umbilical duc t
Etymology of UMBILICAL DUCT
The word "umbilical" is derived from the Latin word "umbilicus", meaning "navel" or "belly button". The term "duct" comes from the Latin word "ductus", which means "a leading" or "a conduit".
Therefore, the etymology of the term "umbilical duct" can be understood as follows: "umbilical" refers to the structure or area near the navel, and "duct" indicates a pathway or conduit through which fluid or substances pass. In the context of anatomy, the term "umbilical duct" typically refers to the tube-like structure that connects the fetal urinary bladder to the umbilicus, allowing the passage of urine from the fetus to the amniotic fluid during pregnancy.
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