Which of the Following is True Regarding Fetal Structures

Question

Which of the following is true regarding fetal structures?
A) The umbilical arteries carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
B) The umbilical vein receives unoxygenated blood from the fetal inferior vena cava.
C) The foramen ovale is a temporary ventricular septal hole designed to divert blood around the fetal lungs.
D) The ductus arteriosus connects two fetal blood vessels.

Accepted Answer

The ductus arteriosus is a temporary blood vessel in the fetal heart that connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta, bypassing the lungs. This allows for oxygenated blood from the mother to bypass the lungs and go directly to the rest of the fetal body. After birth, the ductus arteriosus typically closes and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum.

None of the other answer choices are correct. The umbilical arteries actually carry unoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. The foramen ovale is a temporary hole in the fetal heart that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the non-functioning fetal lungs.