What is the function of the umbilical cord?
The umbilical cord is a set of blood vessels that connects the fetus with the placenta. In the fetus one extremity of the cord inserts into the center of the abdominal wall (the later scar of this insertion is the umbilicus or navel).
The function of the umbilical cord is to permit the transport of substances, nutrients, gases and residuals, among the fetus and the mother's body.