A congenital defect characterized by an opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta at birth due to a failure of the fetal vessel to close is known as:
A) coarctation of the aorta.
B) patent ductus arteriosus.
C) atrial septal defect.
D) tetralogy of Fallot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description given in the question matches the definition of patent ductus arteriosus, which is a congenital heart defect characterized by a persistent opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta due to the failure of the fetal ductus arteriosus to close after birth. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus joins the aorta. Atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth.

A Congenital Defect Characterized by an Opening Between the Pulmonary