Umbilical vein

Definition

The umbilical vein is a blood vessel present during fetal development that carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus. It plays a crucial role in providing the fetus with oxygen and nutrients necessary for growth and development.

Related terms

Placenta: A unique organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to and removing waste products from the fetus through the umbilical cord.

Fetal circulation: The circulatory system in a fetus that includes special structures like the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale, allowing blood to bypass certain organs until after birth.

Umbilical arteries: Two arteries that carry deoxygenated, nutrient-depleted blood away from the fetus to the placenta