How does blood flow in a fetal heart versus a adult heart? Thanks in advance?

Answer 1

Blood flows through a fetal heart in the same way it will after birth with one small exception. There is a small connection between the pulmonary artery and vein to shunt blood from the right ventricle to the left atrium, rather than circulate it all to the lungs for oxygenation. Since the fetus recieves oxygen via the placenta and is not breathing, it doesn't need to send the blood to the lungs. At birth the patent ductus closes, and blood is sent to the lungs for oxygenation via the pulmonary artery from the right ventricle for the remainer of life. If the duct doesn't close, it will have to be repaired surgically.