Truncus arteriosus

Definition

In the developing heart, the truncus arteriosus is a common arterial trunk that allows blood to exit the heart, which later divides into the pulmonary artery and aorta during normal cardiac development. This structure is critical for directing oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood into their respective pathways as the fetus develops.

Related terms

Septation: The process by which a wall or septum forms in an organ or tissue, such as in the developing heart, dividing it into separate chambers.

Pulmonary artery: The artery carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Aorta: The largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to abdomen, distributing oxygenated blood throughout the body