A 4-Year-Old Boy Is Being Evaluated for Failure to Thrive

A 4-year-old boy is being evaluated for failure to thrive, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance.  The parents first became aware of his symptoms after the patient started preschool a few weeks ago.  His teacher mentioned that the patient seemed to tire faster than the other children when playing outside.  Cardiac examination shows bounding peripheral pulses and a palpable thrill below the clavicle near the left upper sternal border.  On auscultation, a continuous murmur is best heard over the same region.  After discussion with the parents, a thoracotomy is scheduled to correct the patient's condition.  During the procedure, the surgeon should plan on ligating a derivative of which of the following embryologic structures?

A) Bulbus cordis
B) Fourth aortic arch
C) Primitive atria
D) Sinus venosus
E) Sixth aortic arch

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free