Fetal Circulation and Physiology Flashcards
n the fetus, some organs do not function until birth
Lungs
Kidneys GI Tract
Fetus obtains oxygen and nutrients
via diffusion from the maternal blood.
Wastes and CO2 are eliminated via
diffusion into the maternal blood
waste and oxygen exchange occurs via
the placenta Inside the uterus Attached to baby via the umbilical cord
Placenta
way of communication between mother and baby
Site of exchange of nutrients/ wastes
Umbilical Artery
carries blood away from the fetus to
the placenta Carries wastes and CO2 LOW O2 Content!
umbilical vein
carries blood from the placenta to the fetus
Carries nutrients and O2 HIGH O2 Content
fetal capillaries
Umbilical arteries and veins branch into these capillaries located inside the intervillous spaces in the placenta.
Intervillous Spaces
Spaces filled with maternal blood from uterine arterioles. Drained by Uterine veins.
The placenta communicates with the mother’s cardiovascular
system via
uterine blood vessels.
waste from placenta
diffuse out of the capillaries into the intervillous spaces
containing maternal blood in the placenta.
Nutrients travel from mother’s blood vessels
to the intervillous space via uterine arteries. Diffuse from the intervillous spaces into the fetal capillaries
The concentration of hemoglobin in fetal blood is about
50% higher
than maternal blood
Fetal hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen than maternal blood
Can carry
30-35% more O2
THERE IS NO DIRECT MIXING
OF MATERNAL AND FETAL BLOOD!!!
The Placenta - Function Exchange of gases – CO2, O2, CO
Accomplished via diffusion 20-30mL O2/min extracted Short interruption in blood flow can be fatal to fetus Depends on delivery not rate of diffusion
The Placenta - Function Exchange Nutrients/ Electrolytes
Amino Acids, Free Fatty Acids, Carbohydrates, Vitamins Exchange is rapid and increases as pregnancy increases
Placental circulation has a very low
RESISTANCE
The Placenta - Function Transfer of Maternal Antibodies
Late first trimester – fetus makes components of complement
Start of immunological competence
The Placenta - Function mmunoglobulins – Primarily IgG
Transported from mother to fetus (at about 14 weeks)
Provides passive immunity
Newborns produce own IgG, but don’t reach adult levels until about age 3.
The Placenta - Function
Hormone Production
4th month – placenta produces enough progesterone
to support pregnancy, should corpus luteum fails
Continues to produce estrogenic hormones Estriol
Rises until end of pregnancy
Umbilical Blood Vessels Blood passes from the fetus to the placenta via________ THAT BRANCH OFF______ WITH a sat. of______
2 umbilical
arteries
Branch of the internal iliac arteries Sat ~58%
Oxygenated blood returns from the placenta via ______ with a sat_______
1 umbilical vein with a sat of 80%
oxygenated blood goes to the liver where it branches into
Joins hepatic portal vein -> Liver (1/3)
Ductus Venosus -> IVC (2/3)
Sphincter mechanism in ductus that controls blood flow through the liver