Patent urachus

During fetal development the urachus is a tube that connects the bladder to the umbilicus. After birth, the urachus normally closes and becomes a ligament. If the urachus remains open, surgery is recommended so that bacteria or infection cannot be introduced into the bladder.

Review Date: 09/03/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.