ORIGINAL_ARTICLE The study has aimed to investigate and determine the anatomical position, shape, size, and histological features of the ductus venosus, and its role as a shunt in the fetal circulatory system in domestic ruminants. The research was conducted on 19 bovine, 11 sheep and 5 goat fetuses, aborted at the late stage of pregnancy or deceased just after delivery. The general anatomy of the ductus venosus was investigated by in-situ dissection of the corrosive cast obtained by injection of 25% solution of Vinylite mass through the umbilical vein. For histological examination, the fetal tissue samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson’s trichrome, Verhoeff-Van Gieson and Gomoriꞌs silver stain. The results showed that ruminant fetal ductus venosus is a curved, trumpet-shaped vessel, situated in the central part of the liver, above the porta hepatis. Its ventral part is constricted in the form of an isthmus, having a prominent lip-like thickening at the junction with the portal sinus. Histological examination showed the dominant presence of collagen and elastic fibers in its tunica media, with thin bands of smooth muscle fibers oriented in a longitudinal and circular direction indicating ability for vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. https://macvetrev.mk/Files/Article/2021/10.2478/macvetrev-2020-0034/macvetrev-2020-0034.pdf 2021-03-15T09:00:00 29 36 10.2478/macvetrev-2020-0034 umbilicus ductus venosus ruminants anatomy morphology Pamela Bejdić pamela.bejdic@vfs.unsa.ba false 1 Department of Anatomy and Histology with Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina LEAD_AUTHOR Amel Ćutuk false 2 Department of Ambulatory Clinics, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Amer Alić false 3 Department of Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Benjamin Čengić false 4 Department for Obstetrics and Udder Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Rizah Avdić false 5 Department of Anatomy and Histology with Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Faruk Tandir false 6 Department of Anatomy and Histology with Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Nedžad Hadžiomerović false 7 Department of Anatomy and Histology with Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina AUTHOR Verica Mrvić false 8 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia AUTHOR McGrady, T.A., Quinn, P.J., FitzPatrick, E.S., Ryan, M.T. 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