What condition results from the total failure of the urachus to obliterate?

The condition resulting from the total failure of the urachus to obliterate is a patent urachus. The urachus is a fibrous remnant of the allantois that connects the bladder to the umbilicus during fetal development. Normally, the urachus should close off after birth, transforming into the median umbilical ligament. However, if this closure does not occur completely, it results in a patent urachus, which can allow urine to leak from the bladder through the umbilical region.

Understanding this condition is essential in clinical practice, as it can lead to complications such as umbilical discharge or infections. Patients may present with a wet umbilicus or urachal discharge, which could be mistaken for an infection or other types of abnormalities. Identifying a patent urachus is crucial for appropriate management, which may involve surgical intervention to unlink the bladder and umbilical area.

In context, the other conditions mentioned differ in their etiologies and presentations. Urachal cysts occur when part of the urachus becomes cystic without a complete failure in closure, while urachal fistulas involve abnormal openings between the bladder and the umbilicus, indicating a partial failure of closure. Bladder ex