Where is mucoid connective tissue (Wharton’s jelly) commonly found?

Where is mucoid connective tissue (Wharton’s jelly) commonly found?

• A. Umbilical cord
• B. Lungs
• C. Brain
• D. Skin

Answer: (A)

Wharton's jelly is a gelatinous mucoid connective tissue rich in proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid that cushions and protects vessels. It is typically found surrounding and filling the umbilical cord, where it supports the two arteries and one vein as they carry blood between fetus and placenta. Other tissues like lungs, brain, and skin are made of different connective tissue types (elastic or collagenous tissues, neural tissue, etc.) and do not have this distinctive jelly-like matrix, so the umbilical cord is the place you’d expect to find it.

Wharton's jelly is a gelatinous mucoid connective tissue rich in proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid that cushions and protects vessels. It is typically found surrounding and filling the umbilical cord, where it supports the two arteries and one vein as they carry blood between fetus and placenta. Other tissues like lungs, brain, and skin are made of different connective tissue types (elastic or collagenous tissues, neural tissue, etc.) and do not have this distinctive jelly-like matrix, so the umbilical cord is the place you’d expect to find it.