NORMAL UMBILICAL CORD LENGTH

NORMAL UMBILICAL CORD COILING

• 50-60 cm long (range = 30-120 cm) and has a diameter of 1.7 cm.
• It has been suggested that the length of the umbilical cord is determined by the amount of amniotic fluid present in the first and second trimesters, as well as fetal mobility.
• Therefore the presence of oligohydramnios or any cause that limits fetal movement may impede normal growth of the umbilical cord.
• In the first trimester the cord is usually as long as the crown rump length of the fetus.

REFERENCES

1. Dudiak CM, Solomon CG, Posniak HV et.al. Sonography of the umbilical cord. Radiographics 1995;15:1035-1050.
2. Hill LM, Kislak S, Runco C. An ultrasonic view of the umbilical cord. Obstetrics and Gynecology Survey 1987;42(2):82-88.
3. Malpas P, Symonds EM. Observations on the structure of the human umbilical cord. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1966;123:746-750.