umbilici

Umbilici are the plural form of the anatomical term umbilicus, commonly known in everyday language as the navel or belly button. They mark the scar left on the abdomen after birth where the umbilical cord connected a fetus to the placenta. In humans and many mammals, the umbilici serve as superficial landmarks and vary in shape and depth, ranging from shallow depressions to protruding protrusions known as innies and outies.

Embryology and anatomy: During fetal development the umbilical cord contains vessels that link the fetus to the placenta. After birth, these structures regress and form ligaments. The umbilical vein becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis (round ligament of the liver); the two umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments; and the urachus becomes the median umbilical ligament. The resulting scar on the abdomen is the mature umbilicus.

Function and variation: In fetal life, the umbilical cord supplies oxygen and nutrients from the mother. Once separated at birth, the umbilical vessels close and the umbilicus remains as a scar. The surrounding abdominal wall anatomy, including the linea alba and surrounding muscles, influences the appearance and location of the umbilicus. Variations in shape, size, and depth are common across individuals.

Clinical relevance: The umbilicus can be involved in medical conditions such as umbilical hernia, omphalitis (infection of the umbilical stump in newborns), and umbilical granuloma. It is also a common site for surgical access in laparoscopic procedures due to its relatively favorable skin-to-abdominal-wall characteristics.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin umbilicus (navel). Umbilici is the plural form used in anatomical and scholarly contexts.