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…The structure that allows blood to bypass a fetus inmmature liver is called ductus venosus.
The foramen ovale is a hole in the heart that allows blood to bypass the lungs in a developing fetus. The ductus venosus is a blood vessel that connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to bypass the liver in a fetus.
The function of the umbilical vein is to deliver oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. From the placenta, the umbilical vein courses through the liver via the ductus venosus (fetal shunt), connecting then to the inferior vena cava.
another fetal structure ?
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…
The ductus venosus.
In a newborn, the foramen ovale will close and become the fossa ovalis. The ductus arteriosus will close and become the ligamentum arteriosum. The ductus venosus will close and become the ligamentum venosum.
The most fetal blood in the umbilical vein enters the inferior vena cava through the ductus venosus.
The Ductus Venosus
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.
Umbilical Arteries Placenta Umbilical Vein Ductus Venosus Foramen Ovale Ductus Arteriosus
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.