Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Umbilical cord
In placental mammals, the umbilical cord is a tube that connects a developing embryo or fetus to its placenta. It contains one or two major vessels, buried within Wharton's jelly, for the exchange of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood between the embryo and placenta.The umbilical cord develops from, and contains, remnants of the yolk sac and allantois. In humans, the umbilical cord in a full term fetus is usually about 50 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter.
In the third stage of labour, the uterus expels the placenta along with the cord from the mother's body. After the cord is separated from the placenta, the umbilical stub on the newborn's belly dries and comes off after a few days. It leaves only a small scar (the umbilicus) behind. In humans, the cord is clamped or cut after birth.
Related Stories
1
2
Health & Medicine News
April 22, 2026
Apr. 22, 2026 A newly discovered virus hiding inside a common gut bacterium could help explain one of medicine’s long-standing mysteries: why a microbe found in both healthy people and cancer patients is linked to colorectal cancer. The research suggests that ...
Apr. 22, 2026 A routine blood marker tied to inflammation may reveal Alzheimer’s risk years in advance. Scientists found that higher neutrophil levels—part of the body’s first immune response—were linked to a greater chance of developing dementia. The ...
Apr. 22, 2026 Scientists have discovered that combining two existing drugs can dramatically reduce liver fat linked to a common and often silent disease. The treatment not only improved liver health in animal models but also showed potential to lower ...
Apr. 21, 2026 A key protein, HOXD13, helps melanoma tumors grow and evade the immune system by boosting blood supply and blocking cancer-fighting T cells. Disabling it shrinks tumors and reopens the door for the ...
Apr. 20, 2026 Cancer cells are known for their “glutamine addiction,” but many can escape this weakness by switching to alternative fuels. Researchers found that vitamin B7 acts like a metabolic “license,” enabling this escape route through a key enzyme. ...
Apr. 20, 2026 A trio of common amino acids may hold the key to unlocking far more powerful gene therapies. Researchers found that adding them to lipid nanoparticles can boost mRNA delivery up to 20-fold and push CRISPR editing efficiency close to 90%. The trick ...
Apr. 18, 2026 Extra virgin olive oil might help protect your brain by working through your gut. A two-year study found that people who consumed it had better cognitive performance and more diverse gut bacteria than those using refined olive oil. Researchers even ...
Apr. 18, 2026 Sitting all day might not be as damaging as once feared—if you’re willing to move more. A massive study tracking over 72,000 people found that simply increasing daily steps can significantly ...
Apr. 18, 2026 Engineers at Northwestern University have taken a striking leap toward merging machines with the human brain by printing artificial neurons that can actually communicate with real ones. These flexible, low-cost devices generate lifelike electrical ...
Apr. 17, 2026 A surprising new study suggests that eating a very healthy diet—packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—might be linked to a higher risk of lung cancer in younger non-smokers. Researchers found that patients under 50 diagnosed with lung ...
Apr. 17, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how bacteria share genes—including those that spread antibiotic resistance. Tiny virus-like particles called gene transfer agents (GTAs), once ...
Apr. 17, 2026 Sparkling water is often seen as a simple, healthy drink—but could it also help with weight loss? New research suggests it may slightly boost how the body processes blood sugar and energy. However, the effect is very small, meaning it’s no ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
Apr. 21, 2026 A popular Korean skincare ingredient may be far more powerful than anyone realized. Scientists have discovered that madecassic acid—derived from the herb Centella asiatica—can stop ...
Apr. 16, 2026 A hormone called FGF21 can reverse obesity in mice by activating a newly identified brain circuit tied to metabolism. Surprisingly, it works in the hindbrain—the same region targeted by GLP-1 drugs ...
Apr. 16, 2026 Researchers have found a way to make cancer-killing immune cells more powerful and precise. By adding specific signaling components, they boosted the cells’ readiness to attack tumors. ...
Apr. 16, 2026 Scientists have discovered that a protein linked to cell death is secretly driving the aging of blood stem cells in a completely different way. Instead of killing the cells, it damages their ...
Apr. 16, 2026 A rogue set of “zombie” immune cells may be driving aging and fatty liver disease by flooding tissues with inflammation. Researchers found these cells accumulate with age and high ...
Apr. 16, 2026 A massive, nearly 20-year study tracking over 650,000 Americans with irritable bowel syndrome is raising new questions about the long-term safety of common treatments. Researchers found that some ...
Apr. 16, 2026 New research suggests that aiming for a lower blood pressure target may deliver bigger heart health benefits than previously thought. Using large datasets and simulation models, scientists found that ...
Apr. 16, 2026 A massive Swedish study shows that AI can spot people at higher risk of melanoma using routine health data. Advanced models significantly outperformed basic methods, identifying high-risk groups with ...
Apr. 15, 2026 A surprising discovery from high-altitude animals like yaks and Tibetan antelopes could reshape how we treat nerve damage in humans. Scientists found that a genetic mutation helping these animals ...
Apr. 15, 2026 A surprising new clinical trial has revealed that metformin—a cheap, century-old drug widely used for type 2 diabetes—may help people with type 1 diabetes in an unexpected way. While researchers ...