Lesson 6: Fetal Circulation Flashcards
what is the placenta
a specialized organ that appears during the onset of pregnancy
what is the function of the placenta
it allows for circulating blood from both mother and fetus to meet and exchange without mixing. gases, nutrients, and wastes are exchanged(with diffusion)
what is the umbilical cord
a rope-like structure that connects the placenta to the developing fetus
what is the umbilical cord composed of
usually composed of two umbilical arteries and an umbilical vein
what are the two umbilical arteries used for (in terms of the umbilical cord)
to transport oxygen-poor, waste-rich blood from the fetus toward the placenta
what is the umbilical vein used for (in terms of the umbilical cord)
to carry oxygen-rich blood to the fetus from the placenta
what is the ductus venosus(venus duct)
a duct that connects the umbilical vein to the fetus’ inferior vena cava, through the liver
what is the function of the venus duct(ductus venosus)
it acts as the attachment site for the fetal heart and provides the liver with access to oxygen and nutrient-rich blood
what is the foramen ovale
an opening in the septum between the fetal atria
what is the function of the foramen ovale
it acts as a bypass preventing most blood from entering the pulmonary circuit
what is the ductus arteriosus
a mass of tissue that connects the left pulmonary artery to the aorta in the fetus
what is the function of the ductus arteriosus
it acts to bypass the fetal lungs
