Which vessel, present during fetal life, carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetal systemic circulation and normally closes after birth to form the ligamentum teres hepatis?
- A Umbilical vein ✓
- B Ductus arteriosus
- C Ductus venosus
- D Umbilical artery
Correct answer: A. Umbilical vein
Explanation
The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetal liver, where most blood bypasses the hepatic sinusoids via the ductus venosus to reach the inferior vena cava. After birth, the umbilical vein obliterates to form the ligamentum teres hepatis (contained in the falciform ligament). The ductus venosus obliterates to form the ligamentum venosum. The two umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments. The ductus arteriosus becomes the ligamentum arteriosum.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.