Omphalocele is a congenital closure defect of the abdominal wall. In this condition, the intestines and sometimes other internal organs protrude through an opening in the abdominal wall, remaining outside the navel within a sac covered by the amniotic membrane. During normal fetal development, between the 6th and 10th weeks of pregnancy, the intestines temporarily extend outside the abdomen into the umbilical cord. Typically, by the 11th week of gestation, these intestines return to the abdominal cavity. Omphalocele occurs when this normal return of the intestines does not happen. This condition can manifest with only the intestines, or the intestines along with other abdominal organs (such as the liver), protruding outside the abdomen.