The navel, known scientifically as the umbilicus, is the body’s first scar, marking the former attachment point of the umbilical cord. It is not an organ but simply a remnant of the fetal lifeline that once connected the developing body to the mother’s placenta. While its appearance varies widely, the navel serves no physiological function after birth.
The Umbilical Cord Connection
The umbilical cord is a temporary, tubelike structure that acts as a lifeline between the mother and the developing fetus during gestation. It contains two arteries and one vein, transporting oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the fetus while carrying deoxygenated blood and waste products away. This system bypasses the developing lungs and digestive system, ensuring the fetus receives everything it needs to grow.
Immediately following birth, the cord is clamped and cut, which is a painless procedure for the newborn. A small stump remains attached to the baby’s abdomen. Over the following one to two weeks, this stump begins to dry out, shrivel, and change color, typically from a pale white to a dark brown or black.
The process ends when the dried stump naturally detaches, leaving behind a small wound that quickly heals to form the navel. Proper care during this period, which involves keeping the area clean and dry, encourages a healthy healing process. The resulting scar is the permanent mark of where the body was once connected to the placenta.
The Anatomy of the Navel
The navel is a complex scar on the anterior abdominal wall, located where the umbilical ring closed after the cord fell away. The visible portion consists of skin and the underlying connective tissue, which includes dense fibrous layers. The skin of the navel is often tethered to the deeper abdominal fascia, particularly a structure known as the umbilical sheath.
This fibrous cylinder extends inward, connecting the superficial skin to deeper abdominal wall layers like the linea alba. This connection anchors the navel, pulling the skin inward and establishing the depression of a concave navel. The navel remains anchored by this specialized connective tissue.
Why Navels Look Different
The difference between an “innie” (concave) and an “outie” (convex) is primarily a matter of natural variation in the healing process. The majority of people have an innie, where the scar tissue and surrounding skin adhere inward to the underlying abdominal fascia. The shape is determined by how the skin naturally heals and attaches to the fibrous tissue, not by how the umbilical cord was cut or clamped.
An outie, which occurs in a smaller percentage of the population, results when the umbilical remnant protrudes outward. This can be due to excess scar tissue remaining at the site. More commonly, a temporary and usually harmless condition called an umbilical hernia, where abdominal tissue pushes through a weak point, is responsible for the outward appearance in infants. This variation is simply a result of differing anatomical development.
Hygiene and Minor Health Concerns
Maintaining navel hygiene is important because the area is a protected, often moist pocket that can accumulate debris and bacteria. Dead skin cells, sweat, oil, and lint from clothing can easily get trapped, especially in deeper innies. This accumulation can lead to an unpleasant odor or, in rare cases, a localized infection.
Cleaning the navel gently with mild soap and water during a regular shower is usually sufficient, followed by thorough drying. In infants, a small, benign pink or red lump called an umbilical granuloma may form after the cord stump detaches. This is scar tissue that may ooze fluid and often resolves on its own or with minor medical treatment. A doctor should be consulted if there is persistent redness, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge, as these may signal an infection.