Fetal Circulation

Question 1

T/F Oxygenated blood enters the fetal circulation via the umbilical vein

Answer 1

True, Oxygenated blood enters the fetal circulation via the umbilical vein

Question 2

T/F Oxygenated blood from the umbilical artery enters the IVC via the ductus arteriosus

Answer 2

False, Oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein enters the IVC from the liver via the ductus venous. It is called the umbilical vein because it travels back to the heart.

Question 3

T/F In the fetal circulation, the pulmonary arterioles have high resistance

Answer 3

True, In the fetal circulation, the pulmonary arterioles have high resistance

Question 4

T/F In the fetal circulation the right side of the heart is a low pressure system

Answer 4

False, In the fetal circulation the right side of the heart is a high pressure system

Question 5

T/F In the fetal circulation, blood is shunted from the right to left side of the heart via the foramen ovale

Answer 5

True, In the fetal circulation, blood is shunted from the right to left side of the heart via the foramen ovale

Question 6

T/F The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary vein to the aorta

Answer 6

True, The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary vein to the aorta, bypassing the lungs and the left side of the heart

Question 7

T/F In the fetal circulation there are 2 branches of the umbilical artery which return blood to the placenta

Answer 7

True, In the fetal circulation there are 2 branches of the umbilical artery which return blood to the placenta

Question 8

T/F The placenta is a low pressure system

Answer 8

True, The placenta is a low pressure system that allows blood to return from the fetal circulation via the umbilical arteries

Question 9

T/F In the fetal circulation a PFO and PDA allow right to left shunt

Answer 9

True, In the fetal circulation a PFO and PDA allow right to left shunt

Question 10

T/F In the fetal circulation, the oxygen saturation of the umbilical vein is 70%

Answer 10

False, In the fetal circulation, the oxygen saturation of the umbilical vein is 80%

Question 11

T/F Fetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen

Answer 11

True, Fetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen enabling more oxygen to be transferred from the maternal circulation

Question 12

T/F The ductus venous shunts 80% of oxygenated placental blood to the fetal IVC

Answer 12

False, The ductus venous shunts 50% of oxygenated placental blood to the fetal IVC

Question 13

T/F In the fetal circulation 2/3 blood is shunted via the foramen ovale

Answer 13

True, In the fetal circulation 2/3 blood is shunted via the foramen ovale