Which blood vessel is responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the developing foetus to the placenta?

The umbilical artery is specifically responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood from the developing fetus to the placenta. In fetal circulation, the umbilical arteries branch from the internal iliac arteries and transport blood that is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and waste products away from the fetus. This is essential for the exchange of gases and nutrients that occurs at the placenta, where the fetal blood can receive oxygen and nutrients from the mother while simultaneously removing waste products.

In contrast, the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta back to the fetus, while the femoral artery and aorta are involved in supplying blood to various parts of the body and are not specifically linked to the placental exchange process during fetal development. Understanding the roles of these vessels is crucial in reproductive biology and fetal development.