Structural umbilical cord and placental abnormalities

Abstract

The human placenta and umbilical cord are short lived organs that are indispensable for the growth and maturation of the developing fetus. When there is normal placental and cord function, maternal, fetal, childhood, and adult health is more common. Examination of the placenta and umbilical cord may be considered secondary to the fetal examination by sonographers. Ultrasound professionals must be cognizant of the importance of sonographic examination and documentation of the structure of the placenta and umbilical cord. This paper reviews several of the most common structure placental and umbilical cord abnormalities that are detectable with two dimensional ultrasound.