By approximately 36 weeks gestation, fundal height reaches which anatomical landmark?

By approximately 36 weeks gestation, fundal height reaches which anatomical landmark?

• A. Midline of the abdomen
• B. Xiphoid process
• C. Pubic symphysis
• D. Umbilicus

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that fundal height increases as pregnancy progresses and, after about 20 weeks, roughly corresponds to the gestational age in weeks. By around 36 weeks, the uterus has grown high enough that the top of the fundus reaches the xiphoid process. So the landmark near the top of the uterus at this stage is the xiphoid process. Remember that the umbilicus is typically at about 20 weeks, not 36, and the pubic symphysis is well below the fundus. The midline of the abdomen isn’t a fixed, meaningful landmark for this measurement.

The key idea is that fundal height increases as pregnancy progresses and, after about 20 weeks, roughly corresponds to the gestational age in weeks. By around 36 weeks, the uterus has grown high enough that the top of the fundus reaches the xiphoid process. So the landmark near the top of the uterus at this stage is the xiphoid process.

Remember that the umbilicus is typically at about 20 weeks, not 36, and the pubic symphysis is well below the fundus. The midline of the abdomen isn’t a fixed, meaningful landmark for this measurement.