FEATURES OF FETAL TOPOGRAPHY OF THE UMBILICAL VEIN

The umbilical vein transports oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus, playing a keyrole in its life support. Understanding anatomical changes and the process of formationof its structure during the embryonic and fetal periods is important both for fundamentaldevelopmental biology and for clinical medicine. The study of the umbilical vein allows usto better understand the mechanisms of placental exchange, the eff ect of hypoxia on thefetus, and also to develop new methods for monitoring the intrauterine state.The purpose of the study – to establish the features of the intrahepatic topography of theumbilical vein in the fetal period of human ontogenesis.Material and methods. For the study, 70 fetal objects aged from 4 to 6 months wereused. To achieve the goal, a complex of morphological research methods was used,which includes macro- microdissection, production of topographic- anatomical sections,radiography, and morphometry.Results. The umbilical vein in fetuses, within the anterior abdominal wall, lies betweenthe transverse fascia of the abdomen and the peritoneum, then leaves the umbilical ringupward and enters the liver in the area of the umbilical notch. The hepatic part of theumbilical vein is located in the anterior part of the left sagittal groove between the leftand quadrate particles of the liver. In more than half of the cases, the furrow is covered from below by liver tissue, which in the form of a bridge falls between the square and left lobes of the organ. At the level of the porta hepatis, the umbilical vein divides into two separate terminal branches, namely the venous strait and the portal sinus. The ductus venosus is anatomically a direct continuation of the umbilical vein, providing continuous blood fl ow from the placenta to the fetal organs. The portal sinus is a branch that arises from the umbilical vein at an obtuse angle, which usually ranges from 110° to 130°. This confi guration is important for optimizing blood fl ow by facilitating the redistribution of fetal blood. The anatomical features of this region are of great importance for embryonic development and the further formation of the functional vasculature of the liver. This should be taken into account when assessing intrauterine pathologies and performing invasive manipulations in the area of the porta hepatis.Conclusions. Consequently, the results of the study indicate that topographic changes in the umbilical vein begin through several successive stages. These changes are an adaptation to the increasing needs of the fetus, which constantly change during development, in particular, ensuring suffi cient levels of blood oxygenation and effi cient supply of nutrients.