Fetal circulation: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Fetal circulation

Sample item

What is the function of the foramen ovale in fetal circulation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Allow blood to pass from right atrium to left atrium

The foramen ovale allows much right-atrial blood to bypass the high-resistance fetal lungs by entering the left atrium; it normally functionally closes after birth as left-atrial pressure rises.

Option by option

  • A. Allow blood to pass from right atrium to left atrium (correct)

    Correct: foramen ovale provides a right-atrium-to-left-atrium fetal shunt.

  • B. Deliver oxygenated blood from placenta to liver only

    Umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from placenta toward the fetus.

  • C. Send blood from pulmonary artery to aorta

    Ductus arteriosus connects pulmonary artery to aorta.

  • D. Return blood from aorta to umbilical vein

    There is no normal aorta-to-umbilical-vein return pathway.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Allow blood to pass from right atrium to left atrium. The foramen ovale allows much right-atrial blood to bypass the high-resistance fetal lungs by entering the left atrium; it normally functionally closes after birth as left-atrial pressure rises.

Why is "Deliver oxygenated blood from placenta to liver only" not the answer?

Umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from placenta toward the fetus.

Why is "Send blood from pulmonary artery to aorta" not the answer?

Ductus arteriosus connects pulmonary artery to aorta.

Why is "Return blood from aorta to umbilical vein" not the answer?

There is no normal aorta-to-umbilical-vein return pathway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fetal circulation in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: foramen ovale provides a right-atrium-to-left-atrium fetal shunt.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Fetal circulation?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.