2025 – PAGE 129 – CARDIOLOGY

FETAL CIRCULATION

This is a pictorial representation of normal circulation (i.e. after the fetal/neonatal period).

This is a pictorial representation of fetal circulation.

UMBILICAL VEIN takes OXYGENATED blood from the placenta to the fetal heart.
- From the RA, most of the blood reaches the periphery via the foramen ovale. The rest of the blood goes to the RV to the PA to the Ductus Arteriosus (which connects the PULMONARY ARTERY to the AORTA).
UMBILICAL ARTERIES come off of the descending fetal aorta and take blood back to the placenta.