ABSTRACT
Furthermore, a careful analysis of the upper abdomen provides a better orientation when examining the fetal heart. The examiner begins with the assessment of the fetal position in utero, in order to distinguish the right and left sides of the fetus. The upper abdomen should then be visualized in a cross-sectional plane ( Figure 12.2 ). A fictitious anterior – posterior line is drawn, dividing a left and a right side. On the left side is the stomach, the descending aorta, and the spleen, which is located between the stomach and diaphragm. On the right side, the liver and the inferior vena cava are found, the inferior vena cava lying anterior to the aorta. By tilting the transducer slightly, the confluence of the three liver veins toward the inferior vena cava are seen. The umbilical vein enters the liver and continues to the right side into the portal sinus. The transducer is then moved slightly cranially to visualize the next plane, i.e. the four-chamber view ( Figure 12.3 and Video clip 12.1 ). During this movement the connection of the inferior vena cava with the right atrium is checked (venoatrial connection).
