FE Fetal Cardiac Anatomy & Development 2

Question 1

During which embryonic week does cardiac looping occur, establishing the left-right axis of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Week 4–5

Answer

Cardiac looping occurs between weeks 4 and 5, transforming the straight heart tube into an S-shaped structure that determines left-right cardiac asymmetry.

Question 2

Which structure connects the pulmonary trunk to the descending aorta in fetal circulation?

Accepted Answer

Ductus arteriosus

Answer

The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary trunk to the descending aorta, bypassing the unexpanded fetal lungs.

Question 3

The normal fetal cardiac axis points toward which direction relative to the spine?

Accepted Answer

Leftward at approximately 45° (levocardia)

Answer

The fetal cardiac axis normally points to the left at approximately 45° ± 20° relative to the anterior chest wall.

Question 4

What is the primary source of oxygenated blood returning to the fetal heart from the placenta?

Accepted Answer

Umbilical vein via ductus venosus

Answer

Oxygenated blood from the placenta travels through the umbilical vein and preferentially streams through the ductus venosus into the inferior vena cava.

Question 5

Which embryonic structure gives rise to the atrial septum primum?

Accepted Answer

Primitive atrium wall

Answer

The septum primum grows downward from the roof of the primitive atrium toward the endocardial cushions, partitioning the common atrium.

(FE) Fetal Echocardiography Certification Practice Test

(FE) Fetal Echocardiography Certification Practice Test

FE Fetal Cardiac Anatomy & Development 2