wharton jelly
Wharton jelly refers to the gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord.
Gross anatomy
Wharton jelly is derived from extra-embryonic mesoderm and is largely made up of mucopolysaccharides (hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate) while containing smaller amounts of fibroblasts and macrophages. It acts as a support structure and protects the vessels of the umbilical cord against compression and constriction.
Related pathology
- umbilical cord pseudocysts: from mucoid or cystic degeneration
- thickened umbilical cord: from excess Wharton jelly in gestational diabetes
- lean umbilical cord: reduced Wharton jelly
- below the 10 percentile of cord thickness for gestational age
- associations
History and etymology
Named after the English physician Thomas Wharton (1614-1673) .
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