umbilical

/ˈʌmˌbɪləkəl/

/əmˈbɪlɒkəl/

Other forms: umbilically; umbilicals

In medicine, anything having to do with the belly button or the cord that connects a newborn baby's navel to the placenta is umbilical.

One thing all prenatal mammals have in common is an umbilical cord attached to a placenta. It's how they receive nutrients and eliminate waste before they're born. Evidence of your umbilical cord is your navel, or belly button. Whenever you see the adjective umbilical, you know it either has to do with that cord, or figuratively, someone or something extremely close or connected: "Her relationship with her best friend is umbilical."

Definitions of umbilical

1. adjective

   relating to or resembling the umbilicus
   “umbilical cord”
2. noun

   membranous duct connecting the fetus with the placenta
   synonyms: umbilical cord

   type of:

   canal, channel, duct, epithelial duct

   a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance

   funiculus

   any of several body structure resembling a cord

   fetal membrane

   any membrane that functions for the protection or nourishment or respiration or excretion of a developing fetus