Fossa ovalis

Fossa Ovalis is a depression in the right atrium of the heart, which is a remnant of a thin fibrous sheet that once covered the foramen ovale during fetal development.

Anatomy

The Fossa Ovalis is located in the heart's right atrium, near the septum that separates the two atria. It is oval-shaped, hence its name, and is a remnant of the foramen ovale, a hole that allows blood to bypass the lungs in a fetus.

Function

During fetal development, the foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs, which are not yet in use, and go directly to the body. After birth, when the lungs begin to function, the foramen ovale closes and eventually forms the Fossa Ovalis.

Clinical Significance

In some cases, the foramen ovale does not close properly after birth, a condition known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This can potentially allow blood clots to bypass the lungs and cause a stroke. A PFO can be diagnosed using an echocardiogram and can be treated with a procedure to close the hole.

See Also

• Heart
• Foramen Ovale (heart)
• Patent Foramen Ovale
• Echocardiography

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