Arteries Flashcards
How can you tell you’re imaging the IVC?
It will compress; it moves with the body
How can you tell you’re imaging the aorta?
It will pulse; it moves with the heart
Why is knowing the abdominal vessels important for scanning?
They provide landmarks for organ imaging
What does the circulatory system do?
It transports gases and nutrients to the tissue and transports waste products away from the tissue
In general, what does the network of vessels look like?
Arteries - arterioles - capillaries - venules - veins
How do you measure the blood flow in an artery?
Place the gate and the wings with an angle of less than 60°
Make sure it is swept to either side a bit
How do you measure blood flow in a vein?
Just place the gate
What happens to blood flow when you fast for an exam?
Being NPO will affect blood flow; not eating will resist blood flow
What are the 3 parts of a vessel wall?
Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa/adventitia
Do arteries or veins have a thicker muscle layer?
Arteries have a thicker muscle layer than veins
Describe 4 things about Tunica Intima…
Endothelial cells - lumen
Delicate connective tissue
Elastic tissue
Inner layer
Describe 3 things about the Tunica Media…
Smooth elastic muscle
Middle layer
Helps regulate flow by controlling diameter
Describe 3 things about the Tunica Externa/Adventitia…
Loose connective tissue
Smooth muscles and elastic tissue
Outer layer
What is the vasa vasorum?
Small blood vessels that supply the walls of the aorta and vena cava
List 5 things about arteries…
Blood away from heart Smaller in diameter Faster moving blood Elasticity No change in respiration
List 7 things about veins…
Blood to the heart Slower moving blood
Collapsible Little elasticity
Large diameter Changes with respiration
Has valves
What part of the body has the most valves?
The legs; makes sure blood flows the right way
What are capillaries?
Small vessels connecting the arterial and venous systems
What is passed through capillary walls?
Nutrients and waste
What are the 6 major arteries?
Aorta, celiac axis, SMA, renal, IMA, common illiacs
What is the name of the arteries and veins that lead to the lungs?
Pulmonary arteries and veins
Describe 3 things about the aorta…
Trunk artery
Largest principle artery
Arises from the left ventricle
What does the aorta do?
Distributes blood to organs and limbs
How are arterial branches named?
Usually after the organ it is feeding
What are the 5 different parts of the aorta?
Root of the aorta - LVOT Ascending aorta Aortic arch Thoracic descending aorta Abdominal descending aorta - retroperitoneum
Describe 3 things about the root of the aorta…
Leaves the left ventricle
Three cusps on the aortic valve
Coronary arteries arise from the cusps
What happens if cusps are damaged?
A heart attack could occur
Describe the ascending aorta…
Arches to form the aortic arch
What arteries branch out from the aortic arch?
Brachiocephalic
Left common carotid
Left subclavian
What 2 arteries branch off the brachiocephalic?
Right subclavian
Right common carotid
Describe the descending aorta…
Enters the abdomen through the opening of the diaphragm
Describe 3 things about the ascending aorta…
Largest artery in the body
Slightly left of the vertebral column
Diaphragmatic crura surround the aorta through the diaphragm
What is the diaphragmatic crura?
Tendinous structures that extend inferiorly from the diaphragm to attach to the vertebral column
Form a tether for muscular contraction; name is from their leg shaped appearance (crus is Latin for leg)
What can the crus of the diaphragm be confused with?
The right renal artery
What is the normal measurement of the abdominal aorta?
2-3 cm in diameter
Describe 3 thing about the aorta from a scanning aspect…
Best anatomic landmark
Patient lays in a supine position
Longitudinally - it’s a hallow tube anterior to the spine
What might you need to do when scanning the aorta to get by air or gas?
Apply pressure and angle the transducer
What techniques might you use to get a better image of the aorta?
Breathing or extend abdomen techniques
Too high of gain might create what when scanning the aorta? What should the aorta look like?
Artifactual internal echoes
Anechoic
What symptoms might lead to an aortic scan?
Abdominal pain, pulsatile mass, AAA on film, F/U AAA, trauma, abdominal bruit
What is the other position a patient can be in for an aortic scan?
Decubed; on side
Describe 3 things about the aorta in transverse…
Circular structure
Gradual tapering
Becomes more anterior distally
What is the measurement of the proximal aorta?
2.0-2.6 cm
What is the measurement of the middle aorta?
1.6-2.4 cm