During gestation the ductus venosus shunts most of the blood from the umbilical vein directly into the inferior vena cava. Shortly after birth the ductus venosus closes to allow normal circulation. It usually closes completely within the first week after birth, but can take longer in pre-term infants. After it is closes a small remnant remains and is called the ligamentum venosum.
shunt blood in fetal circulation
Umbilical Arteries Placenta Umbilical Vein Ductus Venosus Foramen Ovale Ductus Arteriosus
The Ductus Venosus
ductus venosus
The ductus arteriousus connects the pulmonary artery with the descending thoracic aorta, allowing the blood to enter into the fetal circulation without going through the lungs. This structure closes at birth and becomes the "ligamentum arteriosus."
The ductus venosus shunts most of the left umbilical vein blood flow directly to the inferior vena cava. This allows relatively highly oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver and get to the fetal brain.
In fetal circulation, the ductus arteriosus is a connective vessel between the pulmonary artery and aorta. It works as to bypass the lungs, which are collapsed in the womb. After birth, the ductus arteriosus normally closes.
another fetal structure ?
Ductus arteriosus
In the fetus, the ductus venosus shunts a significant majority (80%) of the blood flow of the umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava. Thus, it allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver. In conjunction with the other fetal shunts, the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, it plays a critical role in preferentially shunting oxygenated blood to the fetal brain.Source(s):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ductus_veno…
Increase
The ductus venosus.