ARTERIAL DUCT Meaning and
Definition
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Arterial duct, also known as ductus arteriosus, refers to a vital blood vessel found in the developing fetus that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta. The ductus arteriosus plays a crucial role in channeling blood away from the lungs, as the fetal lungs are not fully developed or functional. In a normal and healthy fetus, this duct allows for the redirection of blood from the right ventricle (which pumps oxygen-poor blood from the body) to the aorta (which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the body's organs).
During prenatal development, the arterial duct allows blood to bypass the pulmonary circulation, reducing the pressure and workload on the fetal lungs. However, shortly after birth, the arterial duct is expected to close in response to changes in oxygen levels. When the newborn starts breathing, the lungs expand, and oxygen-rich blood begins flowing to the pulmonary arteries. This change in blood flow triggers the closure of the arterial duct within the first few hours to days after birth. The closure process involves the constriction of smooth muscle fibers within the duct, eventually leading to its complete occlusion and separation of the pulmonary artery and aorta.
Failure of the arterial duct to close after birth may result in a condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), where there is abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. PDA is a congenital heart defect that may require medical intervention or surgical correction to prevent complications and ensure proper oxygenation of the body.
Etymology of ARTERIAL DUCT
The word "arterial duct" is formed by combining two terms: "arterial" and "duct".
The term "arterial" comes from the Latin word "arteria", which means "windpipe" or "artery". It was derived from the Greek word "arteria", meaning "a blood vessel".
The word "duct" originated from the Latin word "ductus", which means "a leading or conveying" or "to lead or bring". In this context, it refers to a tube or passage that carries fluid, such as blood.
Therefore, the etymology of the word "arterial duct" can be traced back to Latin and Greek roots, combining the meanings of a blood vessel (artery) and a conduit or passage (duct) that carries blood.
