Embryonic Development of the Cardiovascular System

Vocabulary flashcards for Embryonic Development of the Cardiovascular System lecture.

Angiogenesis

The process of blood vessel development.

Cardiogenic field

Horseshoe-shaped structure located around the anterior and lateral portions of the neural plate where the primitive heart, blood vessels, and blood cells form.

Truncus arteriosus

A structure that is divided into the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk by the aorticopulmonary septum.

Sinus venosus

Develops into posterior portion of the right atrium, the SA node, and the coronary sinus.

Foramen ovale

An opening in the fetal heart that allows blood to pass from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the non-functional fetal lungs.

Ductus arteriosus

A vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the lungs.

Ductus venosus

A vein in the fetus that connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver.

Fossa ovalis

A depression in the right atrium of the heart, marking the spot where the foramen ovale was located in the fetus.

Ligamentum arteriosum

The fibrous remnant of the ductus arteriosus in the adult heart.

Ligamentum venosum

The fibrous remnant of the ductus venosus in the adult liver.

Septum Primum

The primary atrial septum that initially allows blood to flow from the right to the left atrium.

Septum Secundum

The secondary atrial septum that forms to the right of the primary septum.

Which primary germ layer does the cardiovascular system generate from?

Mesoderm

What is the process of cardiovascular system development?

Mesoderm → mesenchyme (pluripotent cells) → angioblastic tissue ( hemangioblasts) → cardiovascular system (blood and blood vessels)

What are the components of the primitive heart (cranial to caudal)?

Aortae → bulbus cordis → ventricle → atrium

What are the five regions of the primitive heart?

Primitive atrium, primitive ventricle, bulbus cordis, truncus arteriosus, sinus venosus.

What happens if there is a defect in the aortic arches development?

Defects of the great arteries of the body.

Ostium (foramen) primum

Allows the initial passage of blood from the right to the left atrium, as the primary septum grows.

What happens after a baby takes its first breath?

Lungs expand creating a sudden blood pressure drop in the pulmonary circulation.

What is the physiological closure of the foramen ovale?

The physiological closure of the foramen ovale is the process where the septum primum and septum secundum come together, preventing blood flow between the right and left atria after birth.

What is the anatomical closure of the fossa ovalis?

The anatomical closure of the fossa ovalis refers to the permanent sealing of the foramen ovale, where fibrous tissue replaces the embryonic structures, completely separating the right and left atrium.

What is the aorticopulmonary septum?

Spiral formation that ensures that blood from the right ventricle flows into the pulmonary truck and that the blood from the left ventricle flows into the ascending aorta.

What is the condition known as “transposition of the great vessels”?

A condition which deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle flows into the ascending aorta and the highly oxygenated blood from the left ventricle flow into the pulmonary trunk (lungs)

Fetal circulation

Designed for the utero aqueous environment where the placenta oxygenates fetal blood

What are the key points of fetal blood circulation?

1. Liver and lungs get little blood, they aren’t functional yet

2. Three blood shunts necessary: ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus

3. All three shunts must close very soon after birth.