What condition could result from premature closure of the foramen ovale?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the UCF ZOO3733C Human Anatomy Exam 3. Get ready with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations to help you succeed!

The condition resulting from the premature closure of the foramen ovale is right heart hypertrophy and left side underdevelopment. The foramen ovale is an important shunt during fetal development that allows blood to bypass the non-functioning lungs, directing it from the right atrium to the left atrium.

If the foramen ovale closes too early, this can create a situation where blood flow is impeded. The right side of the heart has to work harder to pump blood into systemic circulation without the normal reduction in flow it typically experiences due to the shunt. This leads to right heart hypertrophy as the right ventricle develops muscle mass to accommodate the increased workload.

At the same time, the left atrium and left ventricle may not receive sufficient blood flow, causing underdevelopment. This underdevelopment can lead to a reduced capacity to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body, especially during critical growth periods in infancy. Thus, option A accurately describes the physiological consequences of premature closure of the foramen ovale.