fetal circulation

Question 1

diffusion is the perferred method for what type of moelcules?

Answer 1

glucose
water
amino acids
inorganic salts

Question 2

T / F - it is common for maternal and fetal blood to mix

Answer 2

false

*it is crucial that these do not mix as they may be different blood types

Question 3

what is the importance of fetal hemoglobin (HbF)?

Answer 3

it has a greater affinity for O2 that maternal hemoglobin and therefore assists with the transfer of O2 into the fetal circulatory system

Question 4

in additional to gas exchnage, what is another impotant function of the placental barrier?

Answer 4

immunity

Question 5

the placenta qualifies as a _________ gland

Answer 5

endocrine

*produces progesterone, estrogen, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Question 6

umbilical (arteries / veins) carry blood away from the fetus and towards the placenta

Answer 6

arteries

Question 7

umbilical veins carry blood away from the ________ and towards the ___________

Answer 7

away from placenta towards the fetus

Question 8

what type of blood is found in umbilical arteries? veins?

Answer 8

arteries = deoxygenated
veins = oxygenated

Question 9

what two organs do not serve significant functions prior to birth?

Answer 9

liver
lungs

Question 10

where does gas exchnage occur in the fetus?

Answer 10

placenta

Question 11

where does detoxification occur in the fetus?

Answer 11

mother’s liver

Question 12

both the lungs and liver are severely underveloped and sensitive to high blood pressures, how do they combat this in postnatal life?

Answer 12

the fetus constructs three shunts to actively direct blood away from these organs while they develop

Question 13

what are the two different shunts that bypass the lungs in fetuses?

Answer 13

1. foramen ovule
2. ductus arteriosus

Question 14

what shunt bypasses the liver in fetuses?

Answer 14

ductus venosus

Question 15

____________ is a one way valve that connects the right atrium to the left atrium

Answer 15

foramen ovule

Question 16

unlike in adult circulation, the right side of the heart is at a (higher / lower) pressure in the developing fetus that the left one

Answer 16

higher

*this helps push the blood from the right to left atrium
*this pressure differentiation reverses after birth

Question 17

the ductus arteriosus shunts leftover blood from the ___________ to the __________

Answer 17

pulmonary artery to the aorta

Question 18

the ductus venosus shunts blood returning from the _____________ directly into the ___________

Answer 18

placenta
inferior vena cava (this then enters into the right atrium)