The five measures of fetal blood oxygen saturation are: 67, 61, 56, 52, and 31%. Which of the following vessels is most likely to have the highest value?

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Eductional Objective: The fetal circulation is very different from the adult circulation. The umbilical vein transports oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. As a result, the umbilical vein contains the most oxygen in the fetal circulation. (In adults, the ligamentum teres is the remainder of the umbilical vein.) The umbilical vein delivers blood to the liver, where it bypasses the hepatic circulation through the ductus venosus and joins the inferior vena cava (IVC). As a result, the IVC has the greatest oxygen concentration of the options provided. Blood is carried from the IVC to the heart, where it is either pumped into the pulmonary circulation or passes directly from the right to left heart via the foramen ovale.

The Five Measures of Fetal Blood Oxygen Saturation Are: 67