Placenta
Gross / macroscopic variations and conditions
Umbilical cord
Torsion / hypercoiling
Author: Mandolin S. Ziadie, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2011
Last staff update: 28 October 2020
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Umbilical cord[title] (torsion OR hypercoiling)
Cite this page: Ziadie MS. Torsion / hypercoiling. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/placentatorsion.html. Accessed April 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Normal umbilical cord has approximately 1 coil per 5 cm
- Number of coils is related to fetal movement
- Torsion / hypercoiling (> 2 coils per 5 cm) is associated with extremely long cords, twin gestation and cocaine; has increased risk of fetal growth restriction or death
- Associated with fibrosis and loss of Wharton jelly (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2000;124:1352)
Gross images
Images hosted on other servers:
Torsion of umbilical cord
