umbilikalarterien

Umbilical arteries are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta during fetal development. Typically, there are two umbilical arteries within the umbilical cord. These arteries originate from the internal iliac arteries of the fetus and travel through the umbilical cord to connect with the chorionic plate of the placenta. In the placenta, the deoxygenated fetal blood exchanges waste products, such as carbon dioxide and urea, for oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood. This exchange occurs across the placental barrier.

After the exchange, the oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood returns to the fetus via the single umbilical vein. The structure of the umbilical arteries is notable for their muscular walls, which help to regulate blood flow to the placenta. During pregnancy, the umbilical arteries are essential for sustaining fetal life by ensuring the proper transfer of gases and nutrients. Following birth, the umbilical arteries constrict and eventually obliterate, becoming part of the ligamentous structures within the abdominal wall. Variations in the number of umbilical arteries, such as a single umbilical artery, can sometimes be associated with other developmental abnormalities, although many cases are isolated findings with no significant health consequences for the infant.