Question

What are the major structural differences between the fetal and the adult human heart? Draw and label these differences on your diagram of the fetal heart. How do these structures alter the circulation of blood?

Answer 1

fetal heart

fetal heart receives oxygenated blood from the mother through placenta.so,it has no functioning lungs,until birth.

the heart need not pump blood to lungs.so,it does not require separate pulmonary artery and aorta.

this artery and aorta are connected by blood vessels called DUCTUS ARTERIOSIS

fetus has opening between upper atria chambers called foramen ovale.this allows blood flow from right to left atrium

adult heart

This ductus arteriosis closes after birth and form left pulmonary artery and arota.

This foramen ovale is also closed after birth.

Development of blood circulation starts from fourth week.

blood vessels develop along with nerve cells

during fetus blood flow is regulated by the placenta,foramen ovale and dustus arteriosus

this allows the blood flow to the parts

the foramen ovale transfer the blood with in atrium.where as,ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery and arota

In adult the lung are functional and the blood vessels are well developed.

This foramen and Ductus arteriosus is closed completly

artrium recieves oxygenated and deoxygenated blood seperately

ductus arteriosus closes and this vessels develop into two seperate vessels pulmonary artery and aorta