892 REPRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH AND DEATH fCH. LIX. 



inferior vena cava, through a venous canal called the ductus venosus, 

 while the remainder passes into the portal vein, and reaches the 

 inferior vena cava after circulating through the liver. Whether, 

 however, by the direct route through the ductus venosus or by the 

 roundabout way through the liver, all the blood which is returned 



PIG. 577. Diagram of the Foetal Circulation. 



from the placenta by the umbilical vein reaches the inferior vena 

 cava at last, and is carried by it (together with the blood from the 

 lower part of the body and lower limbs) to the right auricle of the 

 heart, into which cavity is also pouring the blood that has circulated in 

 the head and neck and arms, and has been brought to the auricle by the 



