Anatomical correlations

The following table attempts to correlate embryonic structures in the venous and arterial systems with their ultimate fate in the adult.

Embryologic Structure

Adult Equivalent
Left anterior cardinal vein
  • disappears proximally
  • distal portion contributes to Left superior intercostal vein
  • anastomoses with Right anterior cardinal vein distally to form Left brachiocephalic vein
 Left common cardinal vein
  • oblique vein of left atrium
 Left posterior cardinal vein
  • disappears
 Left horn of sinus venosus
  • coronary sinus
 Right anterior cardinal vein
  •  superior vena cava
Right common cardinal vein
  • superior vena cava
Right posterior cardinal vein
  • azygous vein
Primitive atrium
  • right auricle
Foramen ovale
  • fossa ovalis and limbus
 First aortic arch
  • maxillary artery
  • contribution to external carotid artery
 Second aortic arch
  •  persists dorsally as stapedial artery
 Third aortic arch
  • proximal portions form common carotid artery
  • distal portions form internal carotid artery
 Fourth aortic arch
  • left arch (with aortic sac) forms ascending aorta and arch
  • right arch contributes to right subclavian artery
 Fifth aortic arch
  •  does not persist
 Sixth aortic arch
  • proximal left arch - left pulmonary artery
  • distal left arch - ligamentum arteriosum
  • proximal right arch - right pulmonary artery
  • distal right arch - does not persist
 Ductus venosus
  • ligamentum venosum
Left umbilical vein
  • ligamentum teres distally
  • degenerates proximally
  • portion within septum transversum contributes to hepatic portal system
Right umbilical vein
  • degenerates proximally and distally
  • portion within septum transversum contributes to hepatic portal system
 Left vitelline vein
  • fuses with right vitelline vein to form portal vein
 Right vitelline vein
  • fuses with left vitelline vein to form portal vein

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