Definition of Patent ductus

1. Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Slideshow Pictures
2. Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection
3. Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

Patent ductus: Failure of the ductus arteriosus, which functions in fetal life as an arterial shunt, to close on schedule at or shortly after birth. When the shunt remains open, it is said to be patent. See: Patent ductus arteriosus.