Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta: The ductus arteriosus is a temporary blood vessel in a developing fetus. It creates a direct connection between the pulmonary artery (which normally carries blood to the lungs) and the aorta (the main artery from the heart to the body). This structure allows blood to bypass the non-functional fetal lungs, directing it instead into the systemic circulation.
   • A structure that normally closes after birth: Following birth, when the newborn begins to breathe and pulmonary circulation is established, the ductus arteriosus typically constricts and closes, becoming a fibrous ligament. Its failure to close is a medical condition.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ductus arteriosus is a crucial part of fetal circulation.
  • An echocardiogram confirmed that the infant's ductus arteriosus had closed normally.
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition where the vessel fails to close after birth.

Advanced Usage

• "Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)": This is the medical term for the condition where the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent) after birth, requiring medical or surgical intervention.
  • The premature baby was diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus.

Variants and Related Words

• Ductal (adj): Pertaining to a duct, such as the ductus arteriosus.
  • Ductal flow was monitored by the cardiologist.
• Ligamentum arteriosum (n): The fibrous remnant of the ductus arteriosus after it has closed postnatally.
  • The ligamentum arteriosum is the adult anatomical remnant of the fetal ductus arteriosus.

Synonyms

• Arterial duct: A less common synonym for ductus arteriosus.
• Botallo's duct: A historical eponym for the ductus arteriosus, named after the Italian physician Leonardo Botallo.

Related Phrases and Medical Terminology

• "Ductus-dependent circulation": Refers to congenital heart defects where the infant's survival depends on the ductus arteriosus remaining open to allow blood flow.
  • The newborn with hypoplastic left heart syndrome has a ductus-dependent circulation.
• "To close the ductus": A phrase used in medical contexts describing the process, either natural or induced with medication, of closing the vessel.
  • The doctor administered medication to help close the ductus.

Noun

1. a blood vessel in a fetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the ascending aorta; normally closes at birth