Fetal Circulation and Physiology- Topic 8 Flashcards
In the fetus, what organs do not function until birth?
Lungs
Kidneys
GI Tract
How does the fetus obtain oxygen and nutrients?
Via diffusion form the maternal blood
How are wastes and CO2 eliminated in fetal circulation?
Via diffusion into the maternal blood
How does exchange occur in fetal circulation?
Via the placenta, inside the uterus, attached to baby via the umbilical cord
Placenta
way of communication between mother nad baby
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 cotent
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 what structure?
Uterine blood vessles
Wastes diffuse out of the capillaries into what spaces?
Intervillous spaces, containing maternal blood in the placenta
Nutrients travel from mother’s blood vessels to hte intervillous space via what structure?
uterine arteries; diffuse from intevillous spaces into the fetal capillaries
The concentration of hemoglobin in fetal blood is what percent higher than maternal blood
50%
Fetal hemoglobin has a _________(greater/lower) affinity for oxygen than maternal blood?
Greater
Fetal hemoglobin can carry what percent more oxygen?
30-35%
Is there direct mixing of maternal and fetal blood?
NO
Rogam Shot
attenuates the response of the Rh - mother against the Rh + baby
How many mls o2/min extracted?
20-30 mL
Placental circulation has low or high resistance?
Very low resistance