Blood Vessels Flashcards
Arteries - Pulmonary trunk
solitary arterial output from the right ventricle, transporting deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation
Arteries - Pulmonary
carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. The blood here passes through capillaries adjacent to alveoli and becomes oxygenated as part of the process of respiration
Arteries - Ascending aorta
a portion of the aorta commencing at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum.
Arteries - Aortic arch
top part of the main artery carrying blood away from the heart
Arteries - Descending thoracic aorta
begins after the origin of the left subclavian artery from the aortic arch and continues down through the chest to the diaphragm. The segment of the aorta below the diaphragm is referred to as the abdominal aorta. The descending aorta provides important blood flow to the spinal cord.
Arteries - Brachiocephalic trunk
an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm and the head and neck.
Arteries - Subclavian
a pair of large arteries in the thorax that supply blood to the thorax itself, head, neck, shoulder and arms. Depending on the side of the body, it can have two origins: the aortic arch on the left and the brachiocephalic trunk on the right.
Arteries - Axillary
a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is called the subclavian artery
Arteries - Brachial
the extension of the axillary artery starting at the lower margin of the teres major muscle and is the major artery of the upper extremity. The brachial artery courses along the ventral surface of the arm and gives rise to multiple smaller branching arteries before reaching the cubital fossa
Arteries - Radial
a terminal branch of the brachial artery and arises at the cubital fossa of the forearm. It is one of the two main arteries of the forearm, along with the ulnar artery.
Arteries - Ulnar
the main blood vessel, with oxygenated blood, of the medial aspects of the forearm. It arises from the brachial artery and terminates in the superficial palmar arch, which joins with the superficial branch of the radial artery
Arteries - Superficial palmar arch
an anastomotic vessel found in the palmar (volar) compartment of the hand. Its main source is the ulnar artery, with a smaller contribution from the radial artery
Arteries - Internal thoracic
supplies the breast and the anterior chest wall. The internal thoracic artery travels along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall on both sides
Arteries - Posterior intercostal arteries
The posterior intercostal arteries are the arteries that supply the back muscles, vertebral column, spinal cord segments, and the overlying skin in the related area and are found within the intercostal space
Arteries - Anterior intercostal arteries
paired (left and right) structures. There are nine pairs of the anterior intercostal arteries, occupying the upper nine intercostal spaces.
Arteries - Common carotid
arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood; they divide in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.
Arteries - Internal carotid
a major branch of the common carotid artery, supplying several parts of the head with blood, the most important one being the brain. There are two internal carotid arteries in total, one on each side of the neck.
Arteries - External carotid
one of two terminal branches of the common carotid and supplies blood to the face and neck
Arteries - Facial
a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.
Arteries - Lingual
a branch of the external carotid artery. It is the principal artery supplying the tongue, sublingual gland, gingiva and oral mucosa of the floor of the mouth. Within the tongue, it is located deep to the hyoglossus muscle.
Arteries - Vertebral
major arteries of the neck. Typically, the vertebral arteries originate from the subclavian arteries. Each vessel courses superiorly along each side of the neck, merging within the skull to form the single, midline basilar artery.
Arteries - Basilar
part of the blood supply system for the brain and central nervous system. It is formed where the two vertebral arteries join at the base of the skull. The basilar artery carries oxygenated blood to the cerebellum, brainstem, and occipital lobes.
Arteries - Circle of Willis (Cerebral Arterial Circle)
joining area of several arteries at the bottom (inferior) side of the brain. At the Circle of Willis, the internal carotid arteries branch into smaller arteries that supply oxygenated blood to over 80% of the cerebrum
Arteries - Abdominal aorta
the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta (of the thorax
Arteries - Celiac trunk
a major artery of the abdomen. It arises from the abdominal aorta, and supplies many of the gastrointestinal viscera.
Arteries - Left gastric
arises from the celiac artery and runs along the superior portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach. Branches also supply the lower esophagus. The left gastric artery anastomoses with the right gastric artery, which runs right to left.
Arteries - Common hepatic
one of the final branches of the celiac artery. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the liver, pylorus, pancreas, and duodenum.
Arteries - Splenic artery
blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery, and follows a course superior to the pancreas. It is known for its tortuous path to the spleen.
Arteries - Superior mesenteric
one of the three non-paired major visceral arteries in the abdominal cavity arising from the abdominal aorta and supplying the midgut.
Arteries - Suprarenal (adrenolumbar)
The superior adrenal (suprarenal) arteries are a group of arteries that together form one of the three adrenal arteries that supply the adrenal gland. There are usually numerous small arteries arising from the inferior phrenic artery.
Arteries - Renal
carry blood from the heart to the kidneys. They branch directly from the aorta (the main artery coming off the heart) on either side and extend to each kidney. These arteries take a very large volume of blood to the kidneys to be filtered.
Arteries - Gonadal (Testicular or Ovarian)
paired primary vascular supply to the ovaries in the female and the testes in the male. As the anatomy of the gonadal arteries differs substantially between the sexes, they are covered separately: ovarian arteries. testicular arteries
Arteries - Inferior mesenteric
the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal.
Arteries - Lumbar
the four pairs of branches of the abdominal aorta found on the posterior abdominal wall. These arteries arise in series with the posterior intercostal arteries and complete the abdominal portion of the vascular supply of the posterior trunk wall.
Arteries - Midsacral
a small vessel that arises posterior to the abdominal aorta and superior to its bifurcation. It descends in the middle line in front of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum and coccyx, ending in the glomus coccygeum (coccygeal gland).
Arteries - Common iliac
two large arteries that originate from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. They end in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.
Arteries - Internal iliac
the smaller terminal branch of the common iliac artery. It supplies the pelvic walls, pelvic viscera, external genitalia, perineum, buttock and medial part of the thigh.
Arteries - External iliac
larger terminal branch of the common iliac artery. Both the left and right common iliac arteries bifurcate into the external and internal iliac arteries at the level of the sacroiliac joints on either side.
Arteries - Femoral
a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg. It enters the thigh from behind the inguinal ligament as the continuation of the external iliac artery. Here, it lies midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the symphysis pubis.
Arteries - Deep femoral
the largest branch of the femoral artery, located deep within the thigh. It originates approximately 3 cm below to the inguinal ligament and courses inferiorly along the medial aspect of the femur. The artery terminates at the lower third of the thigh by anastomosing with the muscular branches of the popliteal artery.
Arteries - Popliteal
a deeply placed continuation of the femoral artery opening in the distal portion of the adductor magnus muscle. It courses through the popliteal fossa and ends at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, where it branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Arteries - Anterior tibial
carries blood to the anterior compartment of the leg and dorsal surface of the foot, from the popliteal artery. It is accompanied by the anterior tibial vein, along its course. It crosses the anterior aspect of the ankle joint, at which point it becomes the dorsalis pedis artery.
Arteries - Posterior tibial
a branch of the tibioperoneal (or tibiofibular) trunk that supplies the posterior compartment of the leg and the sole of the foot. It is located in the posterior compartment of the leg, coursing from the inferior margin of the popliteus muscle up to the medial malleolus.
Veins - Pulmonary
the veins that transfer oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. The largest pulmonary veins are the four main pulmonary veins, two from each lung that drain into the left atrium of the heart. The pulmonary veins are part of the pulmonary circulation
Veins - Inferior vena cava
a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart.
Veins - Superior vena cava
It arises from the union of the left and right brachiocephalic veins, posterior to the first right costal cartilage. It descends vertically through the superior mediastinum, behind the intercostal spaces and to the right of the aorta and trachea.
Veins - Internal thoracic
arises from the superior epigastric vein. It drains the chest wall and breasts.
Veins - Azygous
a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column draining itself towards the superior vena cava. It connects the systems of superior vena cava and inferior vena cava and can provide an alternative path for blood to the right atrium when either of the venae cavae is blocked.
Veins - Brachicephalic
a paired vein of the superior mediastinum that drains the venous blood from the head and neck, upper limbs and the upper part of the thorax. It is formed by the confluence of the internal jugular and subclavian veins on each side, just posterior to the sternoclavicular joint.
Veins - Subclavian
a paired large vein, one on either side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this blood to return to the heart.
Veins - Axillary
a deep vein of the upper limb that is formed by the union of the brachial and basilic veins. It starts at the lower border of the teres major muscle and ascends medially through the axilla towards the 1st rib, where it is continued by the subclavian vein.
Veins - Brachial
accompanies the brachial artery in the region of the arm. It is formed by the unification of the ulnar and radial veins at the elbow. The basilic vein joins the brachial vein and becomes the axillary vein at the inferior border of the teres major muscle. At it its terminal part the axillary vein is joined by the cephalic vein (this vein runs in the deltopectoral groove). At the lateral margin of the first rib axillary vein continues as the subclavian vein.
Veins - Radial
paired veins that accompany the radial artery through the back of the hand and the lateral aspect of the forearm. They join the ulnar veins to form the brachial veins. They follow the same course as the radial artery.
Veins - Ulnar
venae comitantes for the ulnar artery. They mostly drain the medial aspect of the forearm. They arise in the hand and terminate when they join the radial veins to form the brachial veins. They follow the same course as the ulnar artery.
Veins - Basilic
a large superficial vein of the upper limb that helps drain parts of the hand and forearm.
Veins - Cephalic
a superficial vein of the upper limb and it’s one of the two main veins of the arm. Its name derives from ‘cephalic’ meaning head, as the vein runs up to the shoulder. The superficial venous network is the source of blood for most blood tests, and is the easiest place to access venous blood.
Veins - Median cubital
a prominent superficial upper limb vessel. Its location is in the cubital fossa, on the anterior/flexor aspect of the elbow joint. This region of the upper limb is sometimes referred to as the antecubital area.
Veins - Superficial palmar venous arch
the venous arch accompanying the superficial palmar arterial arch; it consists usually of paired venae comitantes and is drained by the superficial ulnar and radial veins.
Veins - External jugular
a vein of the neck that arises from the union of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein. The external jugular vein begins near the mandibular angle, just below or within the substance of the parotid gland.
Veins - Internal jugular
a paired vessel found within the carotid sheath on either side of the neck. It extends from the base of the skull to the sternal end of the clavicle.
Veins - Lingual
a blood vessel that arises from the union of the dorsal lingual vein and the deep lingual vein. The lingual vein passes adjacent to the hyoglossus muscle and drains into the internal jugular vein.
Veins - Facial
a paired vessel and the main vein of the face. The facial veins stem from the angular veins on each side of the root of the nose.
Veins - Vertebral
a paired vessel found in the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae on either side of the neck. It arises at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra from a venous plexus that surrounds the vertebral artery and travels as far as the brachiocephalic veins.
Veins - Dural sinuses
are venous channels located intracranially between the two layers of the dura mater (endosteal layer and meningeal layer). They can be conceptualised as trapped epidural veins. Unlike other veins in the body, they run alone, not parallel to arteries.
Veins - Inferior vena cava
a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart.
Veins - Hepatic
the veins that drain de-oxygenated blood from the liver into the inferior vena cava. There are usually three upper hepatic veins draining from the left, middle, and right parts of the liver. These are larger than the group of lower hepatic veins that can number from six to twenty.
Veins - Suprarenal
The Suprarenal veins are two in number:
the right ends in the inferior vena cava.
the left ends in the left renal or left inferior phrenic vein.
They receive blood from the adrenal glands and will sometimes form anastomoses with the inferior phrenic veins.
Veins - Renal
veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava. They carry the blood filtered by the kidney.
Veins - Gonadal
paired structures that drain the gonads in males and females. In males it is called the testicular vein (or internal spermatic vein) and in females it is called the ovarian vein. The gonadal veins ascend with the gonadal arteries in the abdomen along the psoas muscle anterior to the ureters.
Veins - Lumbar
four pairs of blood vessels that drain the lumbar segments of the spinal cord, posterolateral abdominal wall and lumbar structures of the back. They usually empty into the inferior vena cava, but they can also drain into the ascending lumbar, azygos, renal or other lumbar veins.
Veins - Common iliac
(created by the union of the internal and external iliac veins) forms in the abdomen, at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae. It divides into two branches. The internal iliac vein drains blood from the visceral organs in the pelvic region. The external iliac connects to the femoral veins.
Veins - Internal iliac
begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.
Veins - External iliac
large veins that connect the femoral veins to the common iliac veins. Their origin is at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligaments and they terminate when they join the internal iliac veins (to form the common iliac veins).
Veins - Femoral
a direct continuation of the popliteal vein just proximal to the knee. The vein ascends to the inguinal region, where it passes posterior to the inguinal ligament as the external iliac vein to enter the abdomen. The main function of the femoral vein is to drain the lower limb.
Veins - Great saphenous
a large, subcutaneous, superficial vein of the leg. It is the longest vein in the body, running along the length of the lower limb, returning blood from the foot, leg and thigh to the deep femoral vein at the femoral triangle.
Veins - Deep femoral
(deep vein of the thigh) empties into the femoral vein posteriorly, about 8 cm distal to the inguinal ligament. It is formed by perforating veins that drain the surrounding muscles. Proximal to the entry point of the deep femoral vein, the femoral vein is often referred to as the common femoral vein.
Veins - Popliteal
a deep vein of the leg. It drains blood away from the leg into the femoral vein, which drains blood to the inferior vena cava to return to the right atrium of the heart
Veins - Anterior tibial
paired veins located in the anterior compartment of the leg. These veins accompany the anterior tibial artery, coursing over the anterior interosseous membrane of the leg.
Veins - Posterior tibial
the paired vessels found in the posterior compartment of the leg. They are the venae comitantes of the posterior tibial artery and are closely related to it during their entire course.
Veins - Hepatic portal vein
a blood vessel that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen to the liver. This blood contains nutrients and toxins extracted from digested contents.
