FOETAL CIRCULATION

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

how does fetus receive oxygen and nutrients during pregnancy

thru umbilical cord which connects fetus to placenta

role of placenta in fetal circulation

transfer oxygen and nutrients from mom to fetus and removes carbon dioxide and wastes from baby, transfering it to mother's bloodstream where it can be eliminated

what are the three shunts used in fetal circulation

foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus, ductus venosus

why does fetal circulation bypass the lungs and liver

because these organs do not function fully until after birth Signup and view all the answers

function of foramen ovale

moves blood from right to left atrium, bypassing lungs Signup and view all the answers

how does ductus arteriosus contribute to fetal circulation

moves blood from pulmonary artery to aorta, bypassing lungs Signup and view all the answers

function of ductus venosus

allow oxygenated blood to bypass liver and flow into inferior vena cava Signup and view all the answers

what happens to waste products in fetal circulation

transferred back to placenta and into mother's circulation for removal Signup and view all the answers

what happens to blood entering right atrium in fetal circulation

most of it flow thru foramen ovale into left atrium due to higher pressure in right atrium than left Signup and view all the answers

what does blood flow after passing thru foramen ovalue into leeft atrium

flows into left ventricle and then into aorta Signup and view all the answers

what happens to blood that enters right ventricle in fetal circulation

pumped into pulmonary artery, but most shunted thru ductus arteriosus to descending aorta Signup and view all the answers

what happens to the less oxygenated blood returning to right atrium

enters right ventricle and is pumped into pulmonary artery, with most of it shunted thru ductus arteriosus Signup and view all the answers

what triggers closure of foramen ovale at birth

pressure changes in left and right atrium due to lung expansion and reduced pulmonary pressure, and the foramen ovale turns to fibrous tissue Signup and view all the answers

how does baby's blood circulation change after birth

closure of ductus arteriosus, ductus venosus and foramen ovale transitions fetal circulation to newborn circulation Signup and view all the answers

what causes ductus arteriosus to close after birth

increase in blood pressure and reduction in pulmonary pressures following the baby's first breaths. Signup and view all the answers

what happens to umbilical cord at birth, and how does it affect circulation

umbilical cord is clamped and the baby no longer receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother, triggering independent lung function Signup and view all the answers