ductus arteriosus

noun

duc·​tus ar·​te·​ri·​o·​sus ˈdək-təs-är-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce ductus arteriosus (audio)
: a short broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta and conducts most of the blood directly from the right ventricle to the aorta bypassing the lungs

Examples of ductus arteriosus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In patent ductus arteriosus, the duct does not close properly and affects blood flow to the lungs.89 Genetics plays a role in patent ductus arteriosus, but researchers don’t know the causes. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2024 In this case, a blood vessel (called ductus arteriosus) that carries blood past the baby’s lungs before birth does not properly close after the baby is born. Alexandria Jones-Patten, Phd, Health, 27 July 2024 Rarely, a murmur can be heard through a structure that should no longer be open, such as a patent ductus arteriosus -- necessary in fetal life to allow oxygenated blood from the placenta to flow into the developing fetal body. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2021 Doctors there eventually diagnosed her with patent ductus arteriosus, a heart abnormality that, at the time, generally led to an early death. BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019 Over the course of two and a half hours, Gross successfully tied off the child’s patent ductus arteriosus — a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart — allowing blood to flow normally. BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019 Kevin is a 10-week-old kitten who has been diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a statement. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2019 The Ghandour family acknowledged that Layla suffered from patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart disease commonly described as a hole in the heart. Declan Walsh, New York Times, 16 May 2018 Leah has a heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus or PDA. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, arterial duct

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ductus arteriosus was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near ductus arteriosus

Cite this Entry

“Ductus arteriosus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ductus%20arteriosus. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

ductus arteriosus

noun
ductus ar·​te·​ri·​o·​sus -är-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce ductus arteriosus (audio)
: a short broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta and conducts most of the blood directly from the right ventricle to the aorta bypassing the lungs

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