truncus arteriosus
anatomy
Quick Summary
The truncus arteriosus is a temporary structure in the developing human embryo that forms part of the primitive heart tube. It is one of the four primary chambers that arise as the tube folds upon itself. This structure eventually differentiates and divides to form the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which are the two major arteries that carry blood away from the heart. The truncus arteriosus is crucial for establishing the separate pathways for systemic and pulmonary circulation in the mature cardiovascular system.1
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