What is the correct pathway of fetal circulation?

The correct pathway of fetal circulation involves the umbilical vein transporting oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. Upon entering the fetal body, this blood primarily travels through the ductus venosus, which is a crucial shunt that allows a significant portion of this blood to bypass the liver. From the ductus venosus, the blood then enters the inferior vena cava (IVC). This pathway is vital because it ensures that the oxygen-rich blood is delivered efficiently to the heart and subsequently distributed throughout the body, particularly to vital organs like the brain and heart.

The other options do not accurately describe the pathways of fetal circulation. For instance, directly moving from the umbilical vein to the aorta would not reflect the necessary bypasses that occur in fetal anatomy, and going from the inferior vena cava directly to the right side of the heart, while part of the pathway, overlooks the initial step through the ductus venosus. Lastly, the mention of umbilical arteries leading to the lungs does not represent normal fetal circulation, as the lungs are not involved in oxygenation in utero.