Wharton's jelly is the gelatinous matrix of the umbilical cord. Detailed cord anatomy is described in embryology and obstetric references; this glossary focuses on what matters for evaluating tissue products derived from the cord rather than on anatomy itself.
Two different source materials come from the cord: the matrix tissue itself, known as Wharton's jelly, and cord blood, the fluid contained within the cord's vessels. These are distinct starting materials; confirm with the supplier which one underlies a given product, since recovery and processing steps differ between them.
When evaluating a cord-derived product, ask the supplier to specify which part of the cord is the source material, since matrix-derived and blood-derived materials carry different composition profiles and different supporting documentation.
Clarifying that "umbilical cord" is a source tissue, not a single product, helps buyers confirm which structure underlies any product they are evaluating.