Umbilical vein
Encyclopedia
The umbilical vein is a vein
present during fetal development that carries oxygenated blood from the placenta
to the growing fetus
.
The blood pressure inside the umbilical vein is approximately 20 mmHg.
, there are two umbilical veins, left and right, that drain blood from the placenta to the heart. The right umbilical vein regresses and under normal circumstances is completely obliterated during the second month of development. The left umbilical vein persists and delivers blood from the placenta
to the developing fetus. The diameter of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein increases linearly, from 3 mm at 15 weeks of gestation to 8 mm at term.
. It extends from the umbilicus to the transverse fissure, where it joins with the falciform ligament of the liver to separate the left and right lobes
of the liver.
Closure of the umbilical vein usually occurs after the umbilical arteries have closed. This prolongs the communication between the placenta and fetal heart, allowing for a sort of autotransfusion
of remaining blood from the placenta to the fetus.
, the round ligament may reopen to allow the passage of blood. Such recanalization is common in patients with cirrhosis
and portal hypertension
. Patients with cirrhosis experience rapid growth of scar tissue
in and around the liver, often functionally obstructing nearby vessels. Vessel occlusion increases vascular resistance and therefore leads to hypertension. In portal hypertension, the vessels surrounding the liver
are subjected to abnormally high blood pressure—so high, in fact, that the force of the blood pressing against the round ligament is sufficient to recanalize the structure.
Vein
In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...
present during fetal development that carries oxygenated blood from the placenta
Placenta
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
to the growing fetus
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
.
The blood pressure inside the umbilical vein is approximately 20 mmHg.
Development
During embryologic developmentEmbryogenesis
Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops, until it develops into a fetus.Embryogenesis starts with the fertilization of the ovum by sperm. The fertilized ovum is referred to as a zygote...
, there are two umbilical veins, left and right, that drain blood from the placenta to the heart. The right umbilical vein regresses and under normal circumstances is completely obliterated during the second month of development. The left umbilical vein persists and delivers blood from the placenta
Placenta
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
to the developing fetus. The diameter of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein increases linearly, from 3 mm at 15 weeks of gestation to 8 mm at term.
Closure
Within a week of birth, the infant's umbilical vein is completely obliterated and is replaced by a fibrous cord called the round ligament of the liverRound ligament of liver
In anatomy, the round ligament of liver is a degenerative string of tissue that exists in the free edge of the falciform ligament of the liver...
. It extends from the umbilicus to the transverse fissure, where it joins with the falciform ligament of the liver to separate the left and right lobes
Lobe (anatomy)
In anatomy, a lobe is a clear anatomical division or extension that can be determined without the use of a microscope This is in contrast to a lobule, which is a clear division only visible histologically....
of the liver.
Closure of the umbilical vein usually occurs after the umbilical arteries have closed. This prolongs the communication between the placenta and fetal heart, allowing for a sort of autotransfusion
Autotransfusion
Autotransfusion is a process when a person receives their own blood for a transfusion, instead of banked donor blood. Blood can be pre-donated before a surgery, or can be collected during and after the surgery using a device commonly known as the Cell Saver. The Cell Saver is utilized in surgeries...
of remaining blood from the placenta to the fetus.
Recanalization
Under extreme pressureBlood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
, the round ligament may reopen to allow the passage of blood. Such recanalization is common in patients with cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
and portal hypertension
Portal hypertension
In medicine, portal hypertension is hypertension in the portal vein and its tributaries.It is often defined as a portal pressure gradient of 10 mmHg or greater.-Causes:Causes can be divided into prehepatic, intrahepatic, and posthepatic...
. Patients with cirrhosis experience rapid growth of scar tissue
Scar tissue
Scar tissue can refer to:*Granulation tissue, a product of healing in major wounds*The tissue of a scar*"Scar Tissue", a Red Hot Chili Peppers song*Scar Tissue , the autobiography of Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers...
in and around the liver, often functionally obstructing nearby vessels. Vessel occlusion increases vascular resistance and therefore leads to hypertension. In portal hypertension, the vessels surrounding the liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
are subjected to abnormally high blood pressure—so high, in fact, that the force of the blood pressing against the round ligament is sufficient to recanalize the structure.
Catheterization
A newborn baby has a patent umbilical vein for at least a week after birth. This umbilical vein may be catheterised for ready intravenous access. It may be used as a site for regular transfusion in cases of erythroblastosis or hemolytic disease.See also
- Human umbilical vein graftHuman umbilical vein graftA human umbilical vein graft is a specially prepared human umbilical vein that is used as a vascular graft. HUVGs have found use in arteriovenous fistulae , as an interposition graft between the subclavian artery and pulmonary artery , and for peripheral bypass graft surgery vascular bypass,...
- Ductus venosusDuctus venosusIn the fetus, the ductus venosus shunts approximately half of the blood flow of the umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava. Thus, it allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver. In conjunction with the other fetal shunts, the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, it...