Blood Supply

Question 1

What is the main artery to supply the trunk, and name some of the major branches derived from it.

Answer 1

Descending thoracic aorta. Gives rise to the celiac artery, 2 renal arteries, 2 mesenteric arteries and the iliac arteries.

Question 2

Identify the parts of the aorta, and describe where they begin and end.

Answer 2

Ascending aorta - begins from left ventricle, and the only branches are the coronary arteries. Ends at the level of the sternal angle.
Arch of aorta - from sternal angle to sternal angle. 3 branches.
Descending aorta - begins at sternal angle. Abdominal and thoracic parts, with many branches.

Question 3

What the level of which vertebrae does the abdominal aorta bifurcate into the common iliac arteries?

Answer 3

L4

Question 4

Name the 3 branches of the arch of the aorta.

Answer 4

1st - Brachiocephalic trunk
2nd - left common carotid/
3rd - left subclavian.

Question 5

Which arteries are derived from the thoracic aorta?

Answer 5

small branches to oesophagus and bronchi, and 11 paired posterior intercostal arteries. (remember, 12 ribs and 11 intercostal spaces)

Question 6

Which arteries does the abdominal aorta supply?

Answer 6

Ventral branches (unpaired) - Celiac + 2 mesenteric.
Lateral branches (paired) - inferior phrenic, suprarena, and gonadal arteries. 
Posterolateral (paired)  - 4 pairs of lumbar arteries.

Question 7

What do the internal and external iliac arteries supply?

Answer 7

Internal - pelvis + pelvic viscera, perineum and gluteal region etc.
External - lower limb via femoral artery.

Question 8

What do the celiac, superior + inferior mesenteric arteries supply?

Answer 8

Celiac - upper part of abdominal visera + cavity.
Superior mesenteric - small intestine and some of large intestine.
Inferior mesenteric - rest of large intestine (most) and rectum.

Question 9

Discuss the arterial supply to the upper limb.

Answer 9

Subclavian artery becomes axillary artery at lateral border of 1st rib. Becomes brachial artery at level of inferior border of teres major, splits into the ulnar and radial artery at the level of the elbow. radial artery forms most of the deep palmar arch and the ulnar artery forms most of the superficial palmar arch. Common interosseous artery comes from ulnar artery.

Question 10

What are the branches of the common carotid artery and what do the branches supply?

Answer 10

External carotid artery - supplies neck and face. Gives terminal branch of superficial temporal nerve.
Internal carotid artery - supplies brain and eye, no branches to neck.

Question 11

Which arteries supply the brain?

Answer 11

Internal cartoid arteries, 2 vertebral arteries (which come from subclavian arteries)

Question 12

Which is the most substantial branch of the brachial artery, and where does it pass?

Answer 12

Profunda brachii, passes into posterior compartment of the arm.

Question 13

Discuss the arterial supply to the lower limb.

Answer 13

external iliac (goes beneath inguinal ligament) –> femoral artery (through adductor hiatus) –> popliteal artery. This splits into anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Anterior becomes dorsalis pedis and posterior lies behind medial malleolus.

Question 14

Where does venous blood from the brain drain?

Answer 14

Intracranial venous sinuses. These drain into the internal jugular veins which joints subclavian veins to form brachiocephalic veins.

Question 15

Where does venous blood from the thoracic cavity drain?

Answer 15

Posterior intercostal nerves drain to azygos system.

Question 16

How does the hepatic portal circulation work?

Answer 16

Arterial blood to carpillaries in the GI tract, then travel to sinusoids (wide capillaries) in liver via hepatic portal vein, then to IVC via hepatic veins.