Aorticopulmonary septum

Aorticopulmonary septum is a structure in the developing heart of an embryo, which eventually forms the division between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. These two major blood vessels are vital for the circulation of blood in the body.

Etymology

The term "aorticopulmonary septum" is derived from the Greek words "aorte" (meaning "suspender"), "pulmon" (meaning "lung"), and "septum" (meaning "a dividing structure or wall").

Development

The aorticopulmonary septum forms during the embryonic development of the heart. It begins to develop in the fifth week of gestation and is fully formed by the end of the eighth week. The septum is formed by the fusion of the bulbus cordis and the truncus arteriosus, two structures that are present in the early embryonic heart. The fusion of these structures forms a spiral, which divides the truncus arteriosus into two separate vessels: the aorta and the pulmonary artery.

Function

The aorticopulmonary septum plays a crucial role in the circulation of blood in the body. It ensures that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood are kept separate, which is vital for the efficient functioning of the circulatory system. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Related Terms

• Aorta: The main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen.
• Pulmonary artery: One of the two vessels which are formed as terminal branches of the pulmonary trunk, and which send deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
• Bulbus cordis: The first part of the cardiac tube from which the ventricles of the heart develop.
• Truncus arteriosus: A structure in the embryonic heart from which the aorta and pulmonary trunk develop.

See Also

• Heart development
• Cardiac embryology
• Circulatory system

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