Describe what is housed within the umbilical cord.

The umbilical cord connects the center of the placenta to the fetus' umbilicus (bellybutton). The cord normally contains two umbilical arteries that carry deoxygenated fetal blood away from the fetal heart to the placenta, and one umbilical vein that carries oxygen and nutrients toward the fetal heart. The umbilical cord also contains a soft connective tissue with a jelly-like consistency, called Wharton's jelly, which insulates and protects the umbilical arteries and vein; its external surface is covered by the amniotic membrane.