Aorta
- Both oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood
Ductus Venosus
- Carries oxygenated blood from umbilical vein to inferior vena cava
- Bypassing fetal liver
Left Hepatic Vein
- Deoxygenated blood
Left Atrium
- Deoxygenated blood
Pulmonary Trunk
- Both deoxygenated & oxygenated blood
Superior Vena Cava
- Deoxygenated blood
Foramen Ovale
- Connects the left and right atrium
- Its pushes blood from the right atrium to the left atrium
- Both deoxygenated and oxygenated blood
Right Atrium
- Both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
Inferior Vena Cava
- Deoxygenated blood
Right Hepatic Vein
Portal Sinus
Ductus Arteriosus
- Carries oxygenated blood from pulmonary artery to aorta
- Bypassing fetal lungs
Portal Vein
Umbilical Vein
- Brings oxygenated blood coming from the placenta to the fetus
Umbilicus
Placenta
- Where gas exchange takes place during fetal life
Umbilical Arteries
- Carries deoxygenated blood from the fetus to placenta
Lower Extremities
Internal Iliac Artery
Kidney
Gut
Placenta
- Where gas exchange takes place during fetal life
Foramen ovale
- Connects the left and right atrium
- Its pushes blood from the right atrium to the left atrium
- Both deoxygenated and oxygenated blood
Umbilical Vein
- Brings oxygenated blood coming from the placenta to the fetus
Umbilical Arteries
- Carries deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta
Ductus Venosus
- Carries oxygenated blood from umbilical vein to inferior vena cava
- Bypassing fetal liver
Ductus Arteriosus
- Carries oxygenated blood from pulmonary artery to aorta
- Bypassing fetal lungs
Placenta
- Where gas exchange takes place during fetal life
Foramen Ovale
- Connects the left and right atrium
- Its pushes blood from the right atrium to the left atrium
- Both deoxygenated and oxygenated blood
Ductus Arteriosus
- Both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
Ductus Venosus
- Carries oxygenated blood
- From umbilical vein to inferior vena
- Bypassing fetal liver
Umbilical Vein
- Brings oxygenated blood coming from the placenta to the fetus
Umbilical Arteries
- Carries deoxygenated bood from the fetus to placenta
What is the function of fetal circulation?
The fetal circulation is the circulatory system of a human fetus, often encompassing the entire fetoplacental circulation which includes the umbilical cord and the blood vessels within the placenta that carry fetal blood.
How does fetal circulation work differently from that of born humans?
- The lungs are not in use
- The fetus obtains oxygen and nutrients from the mother through the placenta and the umbilical cord