what is the function of ductus arteriosus.?why is it not functional after birth and called ligamentum arteriosum?
Dear student,
Ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel in fetal heart which connects pulmonary artery to the proximal descending aorta. It closes at birth forming ligamentum arteriosum.
The Ligamentum arteriosum(LA) is actually a ligament which is a vestige of the ductus arteriosus(DA). DA is a temporary fetal structure that shunts blood from the pulmonary arteries to the aorta, so as to avoid circulating blood to the lungs, because lungs are inactive in the womb. The DA becomes the LA within three weeks of birth, so that deoxygenated blood can be selectively circulated to the lungs for more efficient oxygenation of the blood. LA is of non functional in adults therefore it becomes remnant of DA.
Regards.
Ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel in fetal heart which connects pulmonary artery to the proximal descending aorta. It closes at birth forming ligamentum arteriosum.
The Ligamentum arteriosum(LA) is actually a ligament which is a vestige of the ductus arteriosus(DA). DA is a temporary fetal structure that shunts blood from the pulmonary arteries to the aorta, so as to avoid circulating blood to the lungs, because lungs are inactive in the womb. The DA becomes the LA within three weeks of birth, so that deoxygenated blood can be selectively circulated to the lungs for more efficient oxygenation of the blood. LA is of non functional in adults therefore it becomes remnant of DA.
Regards.