The belly button, also known as the navel or umbilicus, is a familiar feature on the human abdomen. It is essentially a scar, present on nearly every individual, marking a profound connection from before birth.
The Umbilical Cord’s Crucial Role
The belly button’s existence directly relates to the umbilical cord, a flexible, tube-like structure that serves as a lifeline during pregnancy. This cord connects the developing fetus to the placenta, an organ attached to the mother’s uterus.
Blood rich in oxygen and nutrients flows from the placenta to the fetus through a single umbilical vein. Two umbilical arteries simultaneously carry deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus back to the placenta for the mother’s body to eliminate. This transfer supports the fetus’s growth and development. The cord is cushioned by a gelatinous substance that protects its vessels.
The Formation of Your Belly Button
The transformation of the umbilical cord into a belly button begins shortly after birth. Once a baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is no longer needed to sustain life. Healthcare providers typically clamp the cord in two places and cut it between the clamps, a painless procedure for both mother and baby.
A small stub of the umbilical cord remains attached to the baby’s abdomen. Over the next one to three weeks, this stump naturally dries out, shrivels, and darkens. It eventually falls off on its own, leaving behind a small wound that heals to become the belly button. This process is a natural part of the body’s healing, resulting in the scar we recognize as the belly button.
Its Lasting Presence and Unique Appearance
After the umbilical cord stump detaches and the area heals, the belly button remains as a permanent scar. For adults, it holds no physiological function or connection to internal organs that impacts daily bodily processes. It serves as a visible reminder of the prenatal connection.
The appearance of the belly button varies among individuals, often categorized as either an “innie” (concave) or an “outie” (protruding). The final shape is determined by how the scar tissue forms as the umbilical stump heals, rather than how the cord was cut or clamped. Factors such as the amount of skin and scar tissue that remains, as well as the structure of the underlying abdominal muscles, contribute to its unique appearance. While most people have an innie belly button, an outie is a normal variation and can sometimes be influenced by conditions like a small umbilical hernia or granuloma.