Which congenital defect presents as a small anterior abdominal wall defect with a normal cord insertion and typically contains peritoneum in the sac?

Which congenital defect presents as a small anterior abdominal wall defect with a normal cord insertion and typically contains peritoneum in the sac?

• A. Umbilical hernia
• B. Omphalocele
• C. Gastroschisis
• D. Epigastric hernia

Answer: (A)

The key idea is distinguishing congenital abdominal wall defects by where the defect sits, whether a protective sac surrounds the herniated contents, and where the umbilical cord attaches. A small defect at the umbilicus with herniated contents that are wrapped in a peritoneal sac and with the umbilical cord inserting at its normal site fits an umbilical hernia. In this condition, the sac is formed by peritoneum, and the cord remains in its usual position at the placental end, not at the edge of a large sac. This contrasts with omphalocele, where the cord inserts into the apex of the hernia sac and the defect is typically larger, with a sac that includes amnion and peritoneum. Gastroschisis shows exposed bowel without a surrounding sac and typically has a normal cord insertion displaced from the defect. Epigastric hernia involves a small defect higher up in the abdominal wall, not at the umbilicus.

The key idea is distinguishing congenital abdominal wall defects by where the defect sits, whether a protective sac surrounds the herniated contents, and where the umbilical cord attaches. A small defect at the umbilicus with herniated contents that are wrapped in a peritoneal sac and with the umbilical cord inserting at its normal site fits an umbilical hernia. In this condition, the sac is formed by peritoneum, and the cord remains in its usual position at the placental end, not at the edge of a large sac. This contrasts with omphalocele, where the cord inserts into the apex of the hernia sac and the defect is typically larger, with a sac that includes amnion and peritoneum. Gastroschisis shows exposed bowel without a surrounding sac and typically has a normal cord insertion displaced from the defect. Epigastric hernia involves a small defect higher up in the abdominal wall, not at the umbilicus.