ductus arteriosus

ductus arteriosus definition - medical

ductus ar·te·ri·o·sus (är-tîrˌē-ōˈsəs)

noun
A fetal vessel that connects the left pulmonary artery with the descending aorta and that normally closes at birth, becoming the arterial ligament. Also called arterial canal, arterial duct, Botallo's duct.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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