Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Book

Embryology, Fetal Circulation

In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
Affiliations
Book

Embryology, Fetal Circulation

Makenna Marty et al.

Excerpt

Fetal circulation differs from adult circulation in a variety of ways to support the unique physiologic needs of a developing fetus. Vascular structures formed early in gestation provide an initial platform for gas exchange and nutrient delivery. Specialized circulatory structures required for systemic circulation then form later in gestation to support the metabolic needs of the fetus before birth.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Makenna Marty declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Forshing Lui declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Kiserud T, Stratford L, Hanson MA. Umbilical flow distribution to the liver and the ductus venosus: an in vitro investigation of the fluid dynamic mechanisms in the fetal sheep. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Jul;177(1):86-90. - PubMed
    1. Gürses C, Karadağ B, İsenlik BST. Normal variants of ductus venosus spectral Doppler flow patterns in normal pregnancies. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2020 Apr;33(8):1288-1294. - PubMed
    1. DAWES GS. The umbilical circulation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1962 Dec 01;84:1634-48. - PubMed
    1. HOLMES RP, DAVIES DV. The vascular pattern of the placenta and its development in the rat. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1948 Oct;55(5):583-607. - PubMed
    1. Hillman NH, Kallapur SG, Jobe AH. Physiology of transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life. Clin Perinatol. 2012 Dec;39(4):769-83. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types