The student nurse learns that some of the embryo's intestines remain within the umbilical cord during the embryonic period because the
A) umbilical cord is much larger at this time than it will be at the end of pregnancy.
B) intestines begin their development within the umbilical cord.
C) nutrient content of the blood is higher in this location.
D) abdomen is too small to contain all the organs while they are developing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The abdominal contents grow more rapidly than the abdominal cavity,so part of their development takes place in the umbilical cord.By 10 weeks,the abdomen is large enough to contain them.The intestines remain within the umbilical cord only until approximately week 10.Intestines begin their development within the umbilical cord but only because the liver and kidneys occupy most of the abdominal cavity.All the intestines are within the abdominal cavity around week 10.

The Student Nurse Learns That Some of the Embryo's Intestines