Anatomy & Physiology › Section R · Blood vessels and circulation › Topic R.5
Circulatory pathways and fetal circulation
The body's major vessels follow a map with a clear logic: one great artery branching to every region, and veins gathering blood back into two great trunks. Before birth that map has three shortcuts, because the lungs are not yet in use.
In this topic
- Two circuits and a naming logic
- The aorta and its arch
- Supplying the brain
- The abdominal aorta and the limbs
- The great veins
- The hepatic portal system
- Worked example: from the gut to the brain
- How vessels form
- Fetal circulation and its three shunts
- Worked example: what changes at birth
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
This topic is part of Wuanberri Pro. Checking your access…