Question

Normally after birth, the blood entering the right side of the heart (right atrium) is low in oxygen, while the blood leaving the left side of the heart and entering the body’s main circulation (the aorta) is high in oxygen. However, sometimes the foramen ovale fails to close after birth. What effect will this have on the level of oxygen in the blood that leaves the heart to enter into the aorta? Fully explain why.

Answer 1

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth.

During fetal development, a small flap-like opening — the foramen ovale (foh-RAY-mun oh-VAY-lee) — is normally present in the wall between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (atria). It normally closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn't close, it's called a patent foramen ovale.t's unclear what causes the foramen ovale to stay open in some people, though genetics may play a role.

When a baby's lungs begin functioning, the circulation of blood through the heart changes. Now the oxygen-rich blood comes from the lungs and enters the left atrium. At this point, blood circulation follows the normal circulatory route.The pressure of the blood pumping through the heart usually forces the flap opening of the foramen ovale closed. In most people, the opening fuses shut, usually sometime during infancy.

In rare cases a patent foramen ovale can cause a significant amount of blood to bypass the lungs, resulting in low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia).

P.S If this helped you please like the answer , Thank you