Velamentous cord insertion is defined as the umbilical cord inserting...

Velamentous cord insertion is defined as the umbilical cord inserting...

• A. into the placental mass at its center
• B. into the fetal membranes, with vessels crossing to the placenta unprotected
• C. at the placental margin
• D. into the umbilical vein only

Answer: (B)

Velamentous cord insertion means the umbilical vessels travel through the fetal membranes before reaching the placental tissue, so they reach the placenta unprotected by Wharton’s jelly. This makes the vessels vulnerable to compression or rupture, which can lead to fetal hypoxia or hemorrhage and increased risk of vasa previa if these vessels cross near the cervix. Normally, the cord attaches directly into the placental mass (central, eccentric, or marginal insertions refer to attachment sites within the placenta or at its edge), but velamentous insertion is when the vessels traverse the membranes first. The option describing insertion into the membranes with vessels crossing to the placenta unprotected best captures this definition.

Velamentous cord insertion means the umbilical vessels travel through the fetal membranes before reaching the placental tissue, so they reach the placenta unprotected by Wharton’s jelly. This makes the vessels vulnerable to compression or rupture, which can lead to fetal hypoxia or hemorrhage and increased risk of vasa previa if these vessels cross near the cervix. Normally, the cord attaches directly into the placental mass (central, eccentric, or marginal insertions refer to attachment sites within the placenta or at its edge), but velamentous insertion is when the vessels traverse the membranes first. The option describing insertion into the membranes with vessels crossing to the placenta unprotected best captures this definition.