The Foramen Ovale in the Fetal Heart is Located in The

Question

The foramen ovale in the fetal heart is located in the
A) right atrium.
B) left atrium.
C) right ventricle.
D) left ventricle.
E) interatrial septum.

Accepted Answer

The foramen ovale is a small opening between the right and left atria of the fetal heart, located in the interatrial septum. It allows oxygenated blood returning from the placenta to bypass the lungs and flow directly into the left atrium, where it is then pumped out to the rest of the body. After birth, when the lungs become functional, the foramen ovale typically closes within a few weeks to a few months, and the two atria become fully separated.