Umbilicus facts for kids
The umbilicus (also known as the navel or bellybutton) is a special spot on the body of mammals. It's what's left behind after a baby is born and its umbilical cord is removed. For humans, your bellybutton is right in the middle of your abdomen, which is the part of your body between your chest and your hips.
While all mammals have a navel, it's usually easiest to see on humans. On many other mammals, it might just look like a thin line or a small scar.
What is a Belly Button?
Your belly button is essentially a scar. Before you were born, the umbilical cord connected you to your mother. This cord was super important because it carried all the nutrients and oxygen you needed to grow. It also took away waste products. When you were born, the cord was no longer needed and was cut. The small piece left attached to you eventually dried up and fell off, leaving behind your belly button.
Innie or Outie?
In humans, belly buttons usually come in two main types:
- An innie is when your belly button goes inward, like a small dip. This is the most common type.
- An outie is when your belly button sticks out a little bit. This happens less often.
The way your belly button looks – whether it's an innie or an outie, its size, or its shape – isn't something you inherit from your parents. It's mostly determined by how the umbilical cord healed after it was cut. So, it's a unique part of you!
Belly Buttons and Your Body
Even though the umbilical cord is gone after birth, the belly button area is still important. For example, when people gain weight, fat often collects around the belly button area. It's just one of the many interesting features of the human body!
