Definition of ductus in English:
ductus
nounPlural ducti ˈdʌktəsˈdəktəs
Anatomy A duct.
Example sentencesExamples
- Near the prostate gland, the ductus is enlarged to form the ampulla; immediately thereafter, it is joined by the duct from the seminal vesicle.
- The duct contained in the ring joins the ductus pancreaticus near the duodenum.
- Before birth, a large artery called the ductus arteriosus lets the blood bypass the lungs because the fetus gets its oxygen through the placenta.
- The ductus arteriosus usually closes within 24 hours of birth and is obliterated anatomically in 1-8 weeks.
- The pulmonary artery - which, after birth, will carry blood from the heart to the lungs - instead sends blood directly back to the heart through a fetal blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus.
Synonyms
tube, channel, passage, canal, vessel
Origin
Mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'leading'.