Video - Fetal circulation

Fetal circulation is different from adult circulation because the fetus' blood doesn't mix with the mother's blood. The placenta acts as a filter, so the baby receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother, and sends its metabolic wastes into the mother's circulation for elimination. The fetal circulatory system has some special adaptations, such as the foramen ovale, an opening between fetal heart atria; the ductus arteriosus, a small vessels that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta; the ductus venosus which shunts blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava; the umbilical arteries which carry deoxygenated blood from fetal circulation to the placenta; and the umbilical vein, which returns oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus , and the ductus venosus.