During the second month of embryonic development, what is true about the umbilical cord?

During the second month of embryonic development, the umbilical cord begins to take a definite form as the embryo continues to grow and develop. At this stage, the cord is still maturing and is not yet fully developed or functional, which is why it does not connect the fetus through two arteries in a fully formed state. The umbilical cord primarily serves as a lifeline, providing nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the developing fetus, along with carrying waste away.

By the second month, the structure that will eventually become the umbilical cord begins to emerge, but its full development, including becoming functional and achieving its final length, occurs later in pregnancy. Understanding the developmental timeline of the umbilical cord is crucial because it plays a significant role in fetal development throughout gestation.