Ductus

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

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

Ductus Arteriosus

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

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

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

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

• Anatomy
• Circulatory system
• Respiratory system
• Reproductive system

References

Ductus Resources
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