What is this?
A diagram of the circulatory system of a fetus.
What parts are not present in a person after they are born?
- Placenta
- Umbilical cord
- Umbilical vein and arteries
- Foramen ovale
- Ductus arteriosis
- Ductus venosus
What is the function of the placenta and umbilical vessels?
To bring water and nutrients from the mother and to pass waste products to the mother.
What is different about the lungs before birth?
The lungs are filled with fluid and not fully expanded. The pulmonary circulation has higher resistance to blood flow.
What is the function of the ductus arteriosis?
The ductus arteriosis shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta.
Why are the blood vessels colored the way they are?
Red indicates oxygenated blood and blue indicates deoxygenated blood. The fetus is receiving oxygen from the maternal circulation through the placenta, so the blood is shown becoming red in the placenta. It is shown as red in the umbilical vein as it goes to the heart, where it mixes with deoxygenated blood, which is shown in purple.
What class(es) of animals would you expect to have a similar system?
Only mammals have placentas, so the only class of animals with this fetal circulation is Mammalia. Mammalia is divided into 3 subclasses: monotremes, marsupials, and placental mammals. Monotremes and marsupials also do not have placentas.
What organ systems are represented?
| Organ system | Organs |
| Circulatory system | Heart and vessels |
| Nervous system | Brain |
| Gastrointestinal system | Liver |
| Respiratory system | Lungs |
What languages are used in this diagram?
English and Latin
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