What happens to the umbilical vein after the cord is clamped?

• A. Becomes the medial umbilical ligaments
• B. Remains as the umbilical vein
• C. Becomes the ligamentum teres
• D. Becomes the falciform ligament

Answer: (C)

After birth, the placental blood supply ends and the umbilical vessels close and fibrose. The umbilical vein specifically becomes a fibrous cord known as the ligamentum teres hepatis (round ligament) that runs along the edge of the falciform ligament from the umbilicus to the liver. This remnant reflects the vessel’s original role in delivering oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. The other remnants in this area—the arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments, and the falciform ligament is the peritoneal structure that houses the ligamentum teres. So the correct outcome is that the umbilical vein becomes the ligamentum teres.