A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c11.58

v1.c11.58

In the early stage of its development, the foetus is entirely dependent for its maintenance on upasneha (transudation)¹³⁴ and upasveda (conduction of heat)¹³⁵ from the mother's body. Later, upasneha is effected partly through the pores of the hairs (romakūpa) and partly through the vessels in the umbilical cord (nābhināḍyayana). This cord is attached to the navel at one end, to the placenta (aparā)¹³⁶ at the other end, and the placenta is connected with the mother's heart, which fills it with nourishment (6.23).¹³⁷