Fetal Circulation

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 More General Terms 3 Additional Terms 4 References

Introduction

• The circulation that serves the fetus in utero with the placenta functioning to supply oxygen & deliver nutrition & to eliminate CO2 & nitrogenous waste.

• Oxygenated blood from the placenta is delivered to the fetus by the umbilical vein. Oxygenated blood from the venous system enters the right atrium & right ventricle, bypasses the lungs via the ductus arteriosus connecting the pulmonary artery with the aortic arch. Closure of the ductus arteriosis & birth & obliteration of the umbilical vein initiates circulation through the lungs & the normal postnatal circulatory system.

More General Terms

• circulation

Additional Terms

• fetus

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999

fetal circulation