Fetal Circulation Overview

Fetal Circulation

• Oxygenated blood from the placenta enters the fetus through the umbilical vein.
• The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood to the ductus venosus.
• The ductus venosus shunts blood away from the liver and directly into the inferior vena cava.
• The inferior vena cava carries the blood to the right atrium.
• The foramen ovale allows blood to flow directly from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs.
• Blood in the left atrium flows to the left ventricle.
• The left ventricle pumps the blood into the aorta to the rest of the body.
• Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart from the body through the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium.
• Blood in the right atrium flows to the right ventricle.
• The right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonary artery to the ductus arteriosus.
• The ductus arteriosus shunts blood away from the pulmonary artery and directly into the aorta.
• Blood in the aorta flows through the umbilical arteries to the placenta.

Explore the fascinating process of fetal circulation, where oxygenated blood is delivered from the placenta to the fetus. Discover how various structures like the umbilical vein, ductus venosus, and foramen ovale work together to bypass the lungs, ensuring efficient blood flow throughout the developing body.