ductus arteriosus
noun
duc·tus ar·te·ri·o·sus
ˈdək-təs-är-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs 
: a short broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta and conducts most of the blood directly from the right ventricle to the aorta bypassing the lungs
Examples of ductus arteriosus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After 30 weeks, NSAIDs may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, a vital fetal heart vessel.
—
Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
In patent ductus arteriosus, the duct does not close properly and affects blood flow to the lungs.89
Genetics plays a role in patent ductus arteriosus, but researchers don’t know the causes.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2024
In this case, a blood vessel (called ductus arteriosus) that carries blood past the baby’s lungs before birth does not properly close after the baby is born.
—Alexandria Jones-Patten, Phd, Health, 27 July 2024
Rarely, a murmur can be heard through a structure that should no longer be open, such as a patent ductus arteriosus -- necessary in fetal life to allow oxygenated blood from the placenta to flow into the developing fetal body.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2021
Over the course of two and a half hours, Gross successfully tied off the child’s patent ductus arteriosus — a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart — allowing blood to flow normally.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019
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Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
In patent ductus arteriosus, the duct does not close properly and affects blood flow to the lungs.89
Genetics plays a role in patent ductus arteriosus, but researchers don’t know the causes.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2024
In this case, a blood vessel (called ductus arteriosus) that carries blood past the baby’s lungs before birth does not properly close after the baby is born.
—Alexandria Jones-Patten, Phd, Health, 27 July 2024
Rarely, a murmur can be heard through a structure that should no longer be open, such as a patent ductus arteriosus -- necessary in fetal life to allow oxygenated blood from the placenta to flow into the developing fetal body.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2021
Over the course of two and a half hours, Gross successfully tied off the child’s patent ductus arteriosus — a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart — allowing blood to flow normally.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Ductus arteriosus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ductus%20arteriosus. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ductus arteriosus
noun
ductus ar·te·ri·o·sus
-är-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs
: a short broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta and conducts most of the blood directly from the right ventricle to the aorta bypassing the lungs
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