What connects the pulmonary and aortic trunks?

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Multiple Choice

What connects the pulmonary and aortic trunks?

In fetal circulation, the ductus arteriosus directly links the pulmonary trunk to the aorta. This shunt lets most blood bypass the nonfunctional lungs and enter the systemic circulation, delivering well-oxygenated blood to the body. After birth, it constricts and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum. The other structures have different roles: the foramen ovale connects the right and left atria to bypass the fetal lungs at the atrial level; the ductus venosus shunts blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava; and the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.

In fetal circulation, the ductus arteriosus directly links the pulmonary trunk to the aorta. This shunt lets most blood bypass the nonfunctional lungs and enter the systemic circulation, delivering well-oxygenated blood to the body. After birth, it constricts and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum. The other structures have different roles: the foramen ovale connects the right and left atria to bypass the fetal lungs at the atrial level; the ductus venosus shunts blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava; and the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.

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