Ductus venosus (DV)

Ductus venosus (DV) is a narrow, trumpet-shaped vessel which is seen in the fetal liver connecting the umbilical vein directly to the caudal inferior vena cava. The vessel plays a critical role in the fetal circulation by shunting oxygenated and nutrient-rich umbilical venous blood from the placenta to the brain and myocardium, bypassing the fetal liver.

History and etymology

It was first described by anatomist Giulio Cesare Aranzio in the sixteenth century.

See also 

• fetal ductus venosus flow assessment
• fetal circulation

Siehe auch:

• Ligamentum venosum
• absent ductus venosus
• thrombosed ductus venosus
• ductus venosus flow assessment