Definition of Foetal circulation

1. Noun. The system of blood vessels and structures through which blood moves in a fetus.


Medical Definition of Foetal circulation

1. The blood circulation in the foetus before birth. Before birth, the blood from the heart headed for the lungs in the aptly named pulmonary artery is shunted away from the lungs and returned to the greatest of arteries, the aorta. This arterial shunting occurs through a short vessel called the ductus arteriosus. When the shunt is open, it is said to be patent (pronounced pá tent). The ductus arteriosus usually tourniquets itself off at or shortly after birth. After closure of the ductus, blood is permitted from that time on to course freely to the lungs. Sometimes, however, the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) persists and simply will not close by itself. Surgery is then done to ligate (tie off) the ductus PDA ligation is a closed-heart operation. Historically, it was one of the earliest surgical procedures performed in children with cardiovascular disease. (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Foetal Circulation

foes
foetal
foetal
foetalism
foetal adrenal cortex
foetal age
foetal alcohol effects
foetal alcohol syndrome
foetal anoxia
foetal aspiration syndrome
foetal attitude
foetal blood
foetal bradycardia
foetal calf serum
foetal circulation (current term)
foetal circulation (current term)
foetal cotyledon
foetal death
foetal death rate
foetal development
foetal distress
foetal distress
foetal doppler study
foetal dystocia
foetal electrocardiography
foetal erythroblastosis
foetal face syndrome
foetal fracture
foetal gigantism
foetal growth retardation

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