The tissue commonly found in the umbilical cord is classified as:

The tissue commonly found in the umbilical cord is classified as:

• A. Dense Regular Connective Tissue
• B. Elastic Connective Tissue
• C. Mucous Connective Tissue
• D. Fibrocartilage

Answer: (C)

In the umbilical cord, the tissue is a gelatinous, mucous connective tissue known as Wharton’s jelly. This mucous connective tissue has a hydrated, gel-like extracellular matrix rich in glycosaminoglycans (like hyaluronic acid), with relatively few cells and little dense fiber. That soft, jelly-like matrix surrounds and cushions the two arteries and one vein, keeping them protected and flexible as the fetus moves. Dense regular connective tissue, in contrast, is dominated by tightly packed parallel collagen fibers found in tendons and ligaments. Elastic connective tissue contains abundant elastic fibers that allow recoil, such as in some arteries and ligaments. Fibrocartilage is a tough, cartilaginous tissue with thick collagen bundles, used where strong, load-bearing support is needed. The umbilical cord’s Wharton’s jelly is the mucous connective tissue that best fits this location and function.

In the umbilical cord, the tissue is a gelatinous, mucous connective tissue known as Wharton’s jelly. This mucous connective tissue has a hydrated, gel-like extracellular matrix rich in glycosaminoglycans (like hyaluronic acid), with relatively few cells and little dense fiber. That soft, jelly-like matrix surrounds and cushions the two arteries and one vein, keeping them protected and flexible as the fetus moves.

Dense regular connective tissue, in contrast, is dominated by tightly packed parallel collagen fibers found in tendons and ligaments. Elastic connective tissue contains abundant elastic fibers that allow recoil, such as in some arteries and ligaments. Fibrocartilage is a tough, cartilaginous tissue with thick collagen bundles, used where strong, load-bearing support is needed. The umbilical cord’s Wharton’s jelly is the mucous connective tissue that best fits this location and function.