Noun: ductus arteriosus
- A blood vessel in a foetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the ascending aorta; normally closes at birth
"The ductus arteriosus allows blood to bypass the lungs in utero"
Type of: blood vessel
Part of: fetus, foetus [Brit, Cdn]
Encyclopedia: Ductus arteriosus, patent