Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2015; 75(08): 808-818
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557819
Review
GebFra Science
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sonographic Assessment of the Umbilical Cord

Sonografie der Nabelschnur
S. Bosselmann
1   Frauenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg
2   Pränatalzentrum Stuttgart, Stuttgart
,
G. Mielke
2   Pränatalzentrum Stuttgart, Stuttgart
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 13 April 2015
revised 30 May 2015

accepted 03 June 2015

Publication Date:
31 August 2015 (online)

Abstract

The umbilical cord (UC) is a vital connection between fetus and placenta. It constitutes a stable connection to the fetomaternal interface, while allowing the fetal mobility that is of great importance for fetal development in general and fetal neuromotor development in particular. This combination of mechanical stability and flexibility is due to the architecture of the UC. There is however a range of umbilical cord complications that may be life threatening to the fetus and these too can be explained to a large extent by the cordʼs structural characteristics. This review article discusses clinically relevant aspects of UC ultrasound.

Zusammenfassung

Die Nabelschnur ist die lebenswichtige Verbindung zwischen Fetus und Plazenta. Sie bildet einerseits eine stabile Verbindung zur zentralen Einheit des fetomaternalen Stoffwechsels und ermöglicht dem Feten andererseits eine Beweglichkeit, die für die körperliche – insbesondere die neuromotorische – Entwicklung von großer Bedeutung ist. Diese Kombination aus mechanischer Stabilität und Flexibilität begründet sich in der Architektur der Nabelschnur. Es gibt jedoch eine Reihe an Nabelschnurkomplikationen, die den Feten z. T. lebensbedrohlich gefährden können. Auch diese lassen sich vor allem auf die strukturellen Eigenschaften der Nabelschnur zurückführen. Im Rahmen einer Übersichtsarbeit werden klinisch relevante Aspekte der sonografischen Diagnostik der Nabelschnur besprochen.

 
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