Blood Supply to the Head, Neck, and Limbs Practical 1.2.19

Question 1

what is at the sternal angle?

Answer 1

The sternal angle [Angle of Louis] indicates the beginning / end of the arch of the aorta. It also indicates the separation of the superior and inferior mediastina, the bifurcation of the trachea (carina), and the drainage of the azygos vein into the superior vena cava.

Question 2

why might the internal carotid artery feel larger?

Answer 2

The internal carotid artery may feel larger because it contains the carotid sinus: a site for monitoring blood pressure and O2 concentration.

Question 3

what is the major branch of the internal iliac artery?

Answer 3

The ‘major’ branch of the internal iliac artery is the obturator artery, which provides some blood to the medial compartment of the thigh. The superior and inferior gluteal arteries, providing blood to the gluteal regions, do also arise from branches of the internal iliac artery.

Question 4

when does the femoral artery become the popliteal

Answer 4

adductor hiatus

Question 5

what are the parts of the axillary artery?

Answer 5

Activity 1.
The right subclavian branches from the brachiocephalic trunk, which is the first branch from the arch of the aorta.
The subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery as it passes the lateral border of the first rib.
The three parts of the axillary artery are:
* the first part, between the lateral border of the first rib and the medial margin of pectoralis minor;
* the second part lies deep to pectoralis minor;
* the third part lies between the lateral margin of pectoralis minor and the termination of the axilla at the inferior border of teres major.
As above, the axillary artery becomes the brachial artery as it passes the inferior border of teres major, where the axilla ends.
The pronator teres muscle separates the ulnar and radial arteries. This is a pronator of the superior and inferior radioulnar joints.
The ulnar artery is typically the dominant artery in the superficial palmar arch.
The radial artery is the dominant artery in the deep palmar arch.