A duct or passage in the body, especially one that carries blood vessels or other anatomical structures; used in anatomical Latin terminology.
Direct from Latin ductus, meaning 'led' or 'conducted.' Remains as the technical term in medical anatomy, particularly in phrases like 'ductus arteriosus' (a fetal blood vessel) and 'ductus deferens' (in the reproductive system).
Before birth, the ductus arteriosus is your fetal superpower—it lets blood bypass your lungs because your lungs aren't working yet. It usually closes after birth, but sometimes doctors have to help!
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