Cardiovascular Physiology and Anatomical Differences

Question 1

Circulatory Changes from Birth to Gestation

Answer 1

1. Newborns first breath, inflates the lungs reducing pulmonary vascular resistance to blood flow
2. Pulmonary artery pressure drops
3. Pressure on the right atrium decreases
4. Blood flow to the left side of the heart increases the pressure in the left atrium
5. Closure of the foramen ovale
6. Closure of the ductus arterious
7. Closure of the ductus venous d/t lack of blood flow and vasoconstriction

Question 2

Structural and Functional Differences

Answer 2

1. Heart lies more horizontally, resulting in the apex lying higher in the chest ( below 4th intercostal)
2. As the lungs growth, the heart is displaced downward
3. During school-age, the heart grows more vertically
4. At birth, the ventricle walls are similar in thickness but with time the left ventricular wall thickens
5. Right ventricular function dominants at birth and then switches to left ventricular function becomes dominant
6. Decreased cardiac output
   7.