Questions and Answers
What structures play a role in shunting blood away from the lungs?
What structure plays a role with shunting blood away from the liver?
Ductus venosus
What is the role of the ductus arteriosus?
Connects the pulmonary artery and aorta
The ______ carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. Some of the blood flow from this structure is shunted from the ______ to the ______ via the ______.
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The pressure in the fetal lungs before birth is _____, which allows blood from the _____ to shunt into the _____ via the ______.
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In the fetus' circulation before birth the pressure is _____ on the right side of the heart compared to the left side. This causes some of the blood from the _____ atrium to flow into the _____ atrium via the _____.
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The umbilical cord is made up of one umbilical vein (oxygenated) and two umbilical arteries (deoxygenated).
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Select all the reasons for the closure of shunting structures after the birth of a baby.
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What does the placenta produce?
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In fetal circulation, the umbilical artery carries ______, while the umbilical vein carries _____.
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The right ventricle pumps what type of blood up through the pulmonary artery?
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Study Notes
Fetal Circulation Overview
- Key structures involved in shunting blood away from the lungs include the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale.
- The ductus venosus functions to shunt blood away from the liver.
Ductus Arteriosus Functionality
- Connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta.
- Transports mixed blood to the lower body, returning to the placenta through umbilical arteries from the descending aorta.
Umbilical Vein and Blood Shunting
- The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
- Blood from the umbilical vein is partially shunted from the liver to the inferior vena cava via the ductus venosus.
Pressure Dynamics in Fetal Lungs
- Prior to birth, pressure in fetal lungs is high, allowing blood to shunt from the pulmonary artery to the aorta through the ductus arteriosus.
Heart Chambers and Foramen Ovale
- Right atrium pressure is higher than that in the left atrium before birth.
- This pressure differential allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium via the foramen ovale.
Umbilical Cord Composition
- The umbilical cord consists of one umbilical vein (carrying oxygenated blood) and two umbilical arteries (carrying deoxygenated blood).
Changes Post-Birth
- Closure of shunting structures occurs due to decreased pressure on the right side of the heart, reduced resistance in the lungs, and increased oxygen levels in the body.
Role of the Placenta
- The placenta produces prostaglandins, which maintain ductus arteriosus patency; removal of the placenta decreases prostaglandin levels, facilitating closure.
Blood Composition in Fetal Circulation
- Umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood.
Right Ventricle Function
- The right ventricle pumps mixed blood through the pulmonary artery during fetal circulation.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structures involved in fetal circulation with these flashcards. Learn about the roles of the ductus arteriosus, foramen ovale, and ductus venosus in shunting blood away from the lungs and liver. Perfect for students studying human biology or medical-related fields.
