Hi doctors, was just wondering what is a foramen ovale for the heart?

PFO: An atrial communication, a "hole", (pfo- patent foramen ovale) is present in all newborns. The pfo closes soon after birth usually. An ASD (atrial septal defect), a persistent larger atrial communication, is a defect that requires closure. A small pfo is present in a fair number of asymptomatic adults and does not usually require closure.

Hole in heart: The heart changes from fetal life to post birth life. The foramen ovale allows fetal circulation to get oxygenated blood from placenta to fetus. After birth the source of oxygen changes from placenta to infants lungs and the foramen ovale closes allowing the heart to allow adult or post birth type of circulation. Sometimes it remains open and causes a murmur.