Where does gas exchange occur between mother and fetus?

Where does gas exchange occur between mother and fetus?

The placenta serves as the fetus’ organ of gas exchange throughout intra uterine life.

What is the site of gas exchange?

Gas exchange takes place in the millions of alveoli in the lungs and the capillaries that envelop them. As shown below, inhaled oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood in the capillaries, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries to the air in the alveoli.

What structure is the site of respiratory exchange for the fetus?

During intrauterine life the placenta serves as the lung for the fetus and fulfills the functions of many organs essential to extrauterine existence.

Where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place in the fetus?

Through the blood vessels in the umbilical cord, the fetus receives all the necessary nutrition, oxygen, and life support from the mother through the placenta. Waste products and carbon dioxide from the fetus are sent back through the umbilical cord and placenta to the mother’s circulation to be eliminated.

In which part does the blood contain the most oxygen and nutrients?

Two types of blood vessels carry blood throughout our bodies: Arteries carry oxygenated blood (blood that has gotten oxygen from the lungs) from the heart to the rest of the body. Blood then travels through veins back to the heart and lungs, so it can get more oxygen to send back to the body via the arteries.

Does the placenta transport oxygen?

Oxygen is a small molecule which readily crosses the placenta by passive diffusion. Oxygen transfer mainly depends on the oxygen partial pressure gradient between maternal blood in the intervillous space and fetal blood in the umbilical arteries (∼4 kPa). Oxygen transfer to the fetus is enhanced by the Bohr effect.

How does oxygen pass through the placenta?

Oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood are transferred across the placenta to the fetus through the umbilical cord. This enriched blood flows through the umbilical vein toward the baby’s liver. There it moves through a shunt called the ductus venosus.

What drugs pass through the placenta?

Safe

• Propofol.
• Thiopental.
• Ketamine.
• Fentanyl at < 1 ucg/kg.
• Epidural opiates (fentanyl, sufentanil)

What substances pass through the placenta?

The mother’s blood does not mix with the blood of the fetus, but the placenta lets substances pass between the two blood supplies:

• oxygen and nutrients diffuse across the placenta from the mother to the fetus.
• carbon dioxide and other waste substances diffuse across the placenta from the fetus to the mother.

What substances Cannot pass through the placenta?

Whether a substance may pass through the placenta between mother and fetus depends on its molecular size, shape, and charge. The substances not likely to pass in significant amounts include bacteria, heparin, sIgA, and IgM. Most antigens are small whereas IgM is a large molecule.

Can harmful substances pass through the placenta?

Tobacco, alcohol and drugs can have harmful effects on anyone’s health. When a pregnant or nursing woman uses these substances, her baby also is exposed to them, for all substances cross the placenta through the umbilical cord and enter into the baby’s bloodstream.

What substances should I avoid during pregnancy?

Here are 11 foods and beverages to avoid or minimize while pregnant.

• High mercury fish. Mercury is a highly toxic element.
• Undercooked or raw fish. This one will be tough for you sushi fans, but it’s an important one.
• Undercooked, raw, and processed meat.
• Raw eggs.
• Organ meat.
• Caffeine.
• Raw sprouts.
• Unwashed produce.