Ductus

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Ductus is a term used in anatomy to refer to a vessel or tube that carries a body fluid from one place to another. The term is often used in the context of the circulatory and respiratory systems.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

In the human body, there are several important ductus, including the Ductus arteriosus, Ductus venosus, and Ductus deferens.

Ductus Arteriosus[edit | edit source]

The Ductus arteriosus is a short, broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery with the descending aorta. It allows most of the blood from the right ventricle to bypass the fetus' fluid-filled non-functioning lungs.

Ductus Venosus[edit | edit source]

The Ductus venosus is a small vessel in the fetal circulatory system that diverts some of the blood flow away from the liver and towards the heart.

Ductus Deferens[edit | edit source]

The Ductus deferens, also known as the vas deferens, is a part of the male reproductive system. It is a tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities in the ductus can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, leading to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Ductus Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD