Changes in the fetus after birth (The two important events)
Immediately after birth two important events occur
- Cutting of the umbilical cord
- Changes in the lungs after the first breaths.
These two events trigger major functional
adaptations in the fetal circulatory system that is given below
- Blood
flow through ductus venosus is eliminated
- Pulmonary
circulation bed expands - which reduce blood flow through ductus
arteriosus
- There
is physiological closure of interatrial shunt
- The
closure of ductus venosus in liver is prolonged
Fetal structure produces some remnant in adult
- Foramen ovale -fossa ovalis.
- Umbilical vein (intra-abdominal part) -ligamentum teres.
- Ductus venosus-ligamentum venosum.
- Umbilical artery distal part-lateral umbilical ligaments; proximal part of superior vesical artery.
- Ductus arteriosus-ligamentum arteriosum.
