The gross appearance of sections from an abnormal two vessel umbilical cord with a single artery and vein above are compared with the normal three vessel cord with an artery, a second artery, and a vein. By itself, the lack of one umbilical artery has minimal impact upon the developing fetus. However, the significance of this umbilical cord anomaly is its association with other fetal anomalies. Thus, your observation of a two vessel cord upon inspection of the placenta at the time of delivery should prompt you to look carefully for additional anomalies in the newborn baby.