Which vessel in the umbilical cord carries oxygenated blood to the fetus?

Which vessel in the umbilical cord carries oxygenated blood to the fetus?

• A. Umbilical artery
• B. Umbilical lymphatic vessel
• C. Ductus venosus
• D. Umbilical vein

Answer: (D)

In fetal circulation, oxygenated blood from the placenta reaches the fetus through the umbilical vein. This vessel carries the oxygen-rich blood from the placenta into the fetal system. From there, much of this blood passes through the ductus venosus into the inferior vena cava, helping supply the heart and body. The umbilical arteries carry blood away from the fetus to the placenta and are typically deoxygenated, not oxygenated. The ductus venosus is a shunt that allows blood to bypass the liver, not the main carrier of oxygenated blood. Lymphatic vessels do not serve as the primary path for fetal oxygen transport in the umbilical cord.

In fetal circulation, oxygenated blood from the placenta reaches the fetus through the umbilical vein. This vessel carries the oxygen-rich blood from the placenta into the fetal system. From there, much of this blood passes through the ductus venosus into the inferior vena cava, helping supply the heart and body. The umbilical arteries carry blood away from the fetus to the placenta and are typically deoxygenated, not oxygenated. The ductus venosus is a shunt that allows blood to bypass the liver, not the main carrier of oxygenated blood. Lymphatic vessels do not serve as the primary path for fetal oxygen transport in the umbilical cord.