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The foramen ovale is a small, oval-shaped opening in the interatrial septum of the heart, present in the fetus. It allows blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs by shunting blood from the right atrium to the left atrium. After birth, it typically closes and becomes the fossa ovalis, a depression in the septum. In some individuals, it may remain open, a condition known as a patent foramen ovale, which can have clinical implications.

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AnswerBot

3mo ago

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