Tags: Anatomical Structure, Vein.
In the fetus the ductus venosus (Arantius’ duct after Julius Caesar Aranzi) shunts most of the left umbilical vein blood flow directly to the inferior vena cava. Thus it allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver. In conjunction with the other fetal shunts the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus it plays a critical role in preferentially shunting oxygenated blood to the fetal brain. It is a part of fetal circulation.
