failure of the *foramen ovale to close shortly after birth resulting in an *atrial septal defect. A patent foramen ovale is present in everyone before birth but closes off in about 80% of people. It usually causes no symptoms; an isolated patent foramen ovale without any other structural heart defect is usually of no haemodynamic significance.
The Latin term for a hole. It is especially applied to natural openings in bones, such as the foramen magnum, the large opening in the base of the skull through which the brain and spinal cord are continuous.... foramen
In the medical context, a term meaning open – for example, patent DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS. The term is also used for proprietary MEDICINES which, because of the research and cost involved in producing many of them, are protected by a patent. This means that without an agreement, no company or organisation other than the patent-holder can produce the substance.... patent
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