Debunking the Myth: What Would Happen if Your Belly Button Came Undone?

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Your belly button is a permanent scar, the remnant of the vital umbilical cord that connected you to your mother in the womb. The idea of it coming undone is a common misconception, but understanding why it's impossible reveals fascinating insights into human anatomy and development.

Quick Summary

The concept of a belly button 'coming undone' is a biological impossibility, as it is a permanent, healed scar, not a knot or tie. It has no internal connections that could unravel in adulthood, though related conditions like umbilical hernias can occur.

Key Points

Healed Scar: Your belly button is a permanent scar from your umbilical cord and cannot unravel or come undone.
No Internal Connections: In adulthood, the navel has no direct, open connections to any internal organs; the fetal structures have closed and formed ligaments.
Myth vs. Reality: The fear of the navel 'untying' is based on a misunderstanding of anatomy, likely conflated with conditions like umbilical hernias.
Be Aware of Hernias: A protruding or painful navel can indicate an umbilical hernia, a common condition that may require medical evaluation.
Hygiene is Important: Regular cleaning of the belly button can prevent the buildup of debris and reduce the risk of infection or navel stones (omphaloliths).
Outie vs. Innie: The shape of your belly button is determined by how the scar tissue healed, not how the umbilical cord was cut.
Seek Medical Advice: Persistent pain, redness, or a growing bulge around the navel warrants a visit to a healthcare professional.

The Biological Reality: A Healed Scar

Your belly button, or umbilicus, is not a knot that can be untied. It is a permanently healed scar that marks the point where the umbilical cord once attached during fetal development. At birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving a stump that naturally dries up and falls off within one to three weeks. The remaining tissue then heals over, forming the scar we know as the belly button. This process is a permanent closure of the opening in the abdominal wall, making it impossible for the navel to simply 'come undone.'

The Umbilical Cord's Function and Transformation

During gestation, the umbilical cord serves as the lifeline between the developing fetus and the placenta, providing oxygen and nutrients and removing waste. The cord contains a vein that carries oxygen-rich blood and two arteries that carry oxygen-depleted blood. After birth, when the baby's lungs and digestive system become functional, blood flow through these vessels ceases. The vessels and other cord structures, such as the urachus and vitelline duct, atrophy and form non-functional fibrous remnants inside the abdomen. These structures become ligaments attached to the abdominal wall, liver, and bladder, but they are fully healed and integrated into the body's internal structure. They are not 'knots' that can be undone from the surface.

The Umbilical Structures After Birth

Umbilical Vein: Becomes the round ligament of the liver.
Umbilical Arteries: Become the medial umbilical ligaments on the inner abdominal wall.
Urachus: A duct connecting the fetal bladder to the umbilical cord, it closes and forms the median umbilical ligament.

Addressing the Underlying Concern: Umbilical Hernias

The widespread belief that a belly button can come undone likely stems from anxiety surrounding underlying medical conditions. The most common related condition is an umbilical hernia, where a portion of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles near the navel.

Umbilical Hernia in Adults vs. Infants


Feature	Umbilical Hernia in Infants	Umbilical Hernia in Adults
Occurrence	Common, often closes on its own within a few years.	More likely to require surgical repair.
Cause	Abdominal muscles don't completely close after the umbilical cord falls off.	Increased abdominal pressure from factors like obesity, multiple pregnancies, or fluid accumulation.
Appearance	Soft bulge that may be more visible when crying or straining.	Visible bulge that can cause discomfort or a dull ache.
Complications	Rare, but can involve incarceration or strangulation of tissue.	More prone to complications like intestinal blockage or strangulation, which can be life-threatening.

What to Do for a Protruding or Painful Navel

If you notice a sudden, painful protrusion or discoloration around your navel, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a strangulated hernia, a serious condition where blood flow is cut off to the trapped tissue. Other less serious issues include infection, which can be caused by poor hygiene or an omphalolith (navel stone).

A Deeper Look at Navel Stones

An omphalolith is a hardened mass of sebum, keratin, and debris that can accumulate in a deep belly button over time. These are generally harmless but can cause discomfort or lead to infection. Regular cleaning is the best way to prevent their formation. A doctor can remove a navel stone if it becomes problematic.

Hygiene is Key

Regularly wash your navel with mild soap and water. Use a washcloth or cotton swab for deeper cleaning.
Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
Ensure the area is completely dry to prevent moisture from causing irritation or fungal growth.

Dispelling the 'Outie' Myth

Another common myth is that the way the umbilical cord is cut determines whether you have an 'innie' or an 'outie'. This is not true. Your belly button's appearance is determined by how the scar tissue heals after the cord falls off, a process that is entirely natural and not influenced by the cutting. An 'outie' can simply be extra scar tissue or, in some cases, an umbilical hernia.

Conclusion

The fear that your belly button could 'come undone' is a myth, but it points to a valid concern about abdominal health. The belly button is a robust and permanent scar, a testament to your connection to your mother. The internal structures it was once connected to have long since been integrated into your body's adult anatomy. While a navel can't unravel, conditions like umbilical hernias, infections, or navel stones are real concerns that may require medical attention. Maintaining good hygiene is the best way to prevent minor issues, and understanding the difference between myth and reality can help you recognize when a medical professional needs to be consulted. For more information on general health topics, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Frequently Asked Questions

In a fetus, the umbilical cord is connected to major blood vessels, the bladder, and the liver. In adults, these connections have atrophied and become fibrous ligaments that are not open to the surface. The navel itself is simply a scar on the abdominal wall.

Yes. An umbilical hernia can cause tissue to protrude through a weak spot near the navel, creating a bulge that might be mistaken for the navel 'coming undone.' However, it is a medical condition, not an unraveling of the navel.

Yes. The belly button is a warm, moist area that can harbor bacteria and yeast, leading to infection. Poor hygiene, piercings, or navel stones can increase the risk.

An omphalolith, or navel stone, is a hardened mass of dead skin cells, sebum, and dirt that collects in a deep navel. They are usually dark and hard and can be a source of infection if not removed.

Generally, 'outies' are not ideal for piercings, as the protruding scar tissue can be more prone to infection and is not suitable for a standard piercing. You should consult a piercing professional and a doctor for guidance.

Yes, it is possible. The increased pressure on the abdominal wall during pregnancy can cause an 'innie' to temporarily push outwards and become an 'outie.' It typically returns to its original shape after childbirth.

No, the process is painless for the baby. There are no nerves in the cord stump, and it falls off naturally after it dries up.