Key result
The ductus arteriosus provides a conduit for fetal blood to bypass the lungs and is characterized by a predominantly muscular media with circumferentially oriented fibers.
Provides a review of the physiological role and anatomical structure of the ductus arteriosus and its closure.
Supports recognition of ductal anatomy in fetal cardiology; leaves open mechanistic questions for closure research.
The lungs of the fetus do not have a role in gas exchange, since that function is served by the placenta. The fetal pulmonary vascular resistance is maintained at high levels to limit blood flow to the lungs, and the ductus arteriosus provides a conduit for blood entering the pulmonary artery to bypass the lungs and be directed into the descending aorta and the placenta.Unlike the aorta and the main pulmonary arteries, the ductus has a predominantly muscular media. Most of the muscle fibers are oriented circumferentially, particularly in the outer layers1. The muscle mass in the media . . .
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Michael Tynan (1993) conducted a review in Ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosus provides a conduit for fetal blood to bypass the lungs and is characterized by a predominantly muscular media with circumferentially oriented fibers.
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