Chapter 10 - Fetal Circulation

Where does fetal oxygenation occur?

In the placenta

For oxygenated blood to reach the fetus circulation, what has to happen?

It has to travel through a series of shunts to accomplish this.

What are the three shunts?

1.) Ductus Venosus: connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava 2.) Ductus arteriosus: connects the main pulmonary artery to the aorta 3.) Foramen ovale: anatomic opening between the right and left atrium

What is the cycle of fetal circulation?

1.) Placenta to the fetus via umbilical vein 2.) Half of the blod goes to the hepatic capillaries 3.) Flows through the ductus venosus into the inferior vena cava 4.) Blood from vena cava is mostly defelected through the foramen ovale into the left atrium 5.) The left ventricle 6.) Ascending aorta 7.) Head and upper body

Where does deoxygenated blood go to?

1.) The superior vena cava 2.) Right atrium 3.) Right ventricle 4.) Pulmonary artery

Where is the oxygenated blood carried to?

From the placenta to the fetus via the umbilical vein.