Great Vessels Flashcards
Which arteries carry deoxygenated blood?
pulmonary arteries
Name the layers of an artery, deepest to most superficial
tunica intima, tunica media, tunica adventicia
Where does the aorta pierce the diaphragm?
aortic hiatus, T12
Where is the aortic hiatus?
T12
Where does the aorta bifurcate?
L4/umbilicus
List the major arteries that branch from the aorta, from proximal to distal
Celiac trunk/axis, R/L adrenal/suprarenal arteries, SMA, R/L renal arteries, IMA, R/L gonadal arteries, R/L common iliac arteries
How long is the celiac axis?
1 cm
How does the celiac axis branch from the aorta?
anteriorly
Which three vessels branch from the celiac axis?
common hepatic artery, left gastric artery, splenic artery
Which two vessels branch from the common hepatic artery?
hepatic artery proper, gastroduodenal artery
Where does the common hepatic artery travel?
right lateral towards the liver
Where does the splenic artery travel and what does it supply?
left lateral along superior aspect of the pancreas to supply the spleen and tail of the pancreas
Where does the left gastric artery travel?
superiorly, then along the inferior curvature of the stomach
adrenal arteries, aka
suprarenal arteries
suprarenal arteries, aka
adrenal arteries
Which artery branches off the celiac axis superiorly, then along the lesser curvature of the stomach?
left gastric artery
How do the suprarenal arteries branch from the aorta?
obliquely, laterally and superiorly
How does the SMA branch from the aorta?
anteriorly
Which artery is second to branch off anteriorly from the proximal aorta?
SMA
SMA supplies which areas?
small intestine, ascending colon, right and mid transverse colon
Which is the third major branch from the aorta?
SMA
Which is the second major branch from the aorta?
R/L suprarenal arteries
Where does the SMA travel?
first anteriorly, then hooks and travels inferiorly
Which is longer: the right renal artery or the left?
right
How does the right renal artery travel?
right lateral, posterior to the IVC
What is unique about the positions of the RRA with respect to the LRA?
RRA travels slightly inferior to the level of the LRA due to position of the liver
Which is the fourth major branch off the aorta?
R/L renal arteries
How do the renal arteries branch from the aorta?
laterally
Which set of paired arteries branch from the anterior aspect of the aorta?
gonadal arteries
ovarian arteries, aka
gonadal arteries
testicular arteries, aka
gonadal arteries
gonadal arteries, aka
ovarian/testicular arteries
How do the gonadal arteries travel?
obliquely, inferiorly and laterally
What is the fifth major branch from the aorta?
gonadal arteries
What is the sixth major branch from the aorta?
IMA
IMA supplies which areas?
descending colon, left transverse colon, sigmoid colon, rectum
Which artery supplies the small intestine, ascending colon, right and mid transverse colon?
SMA
Which artery supplies the spleen and tail of the pancreas?
splenic artery
Which artery supplies the left transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum?
IMA
At what location does the IMA branch from the aorta?
L3
How do the common iliac arteries travel?
inferiorly and laterally
Where do the common iliac arteries branch from the aorta?
the aortic bifurcation/L4/umbilicus
What two arteries are formed from the aortic bifurcation?
R/L iliac arteries
Do most major aortic branches sit anterior or posterior to their venous counterparts? What is the exception?
posterior, except the common iliac arteries
Do most tributaries to the IVC sit anterior or posterior to their arteriole counterparts? What is the exception?
anterior, except the common iliac veins
Which layer of the vessel wall is thicker in arteries vs veins?
tunica media, far more muscular
Where does the IVC supply?
right side of the heart
Which veins carry oxygenated blood?
pulmonary veins
Where does the IVC pierce the diaphragm?
T8
Which great vessels pierce the diaphragm at T8 & T12?
IVC @ T8, AO @T12
Compare the appearance of the IVC vs AO with ultrasound
AO travels a straighter path, vessel walls more muscular and therefore more echogenic
IVC far more compressible, varying calibre, more tortuous path, vessel walls not as echogenic
Where do the common iliac veins join to form the IVC?
L4
List the tributaries of the IVC, distal to proximal
R/L common iliac veins, right gonadal vein only, R/L renal veins, right adrenal vein only, R/M/L hepatic veins
Where do the left gonadal and adrenal veins drain to?
left renal vein
Which veins drain into the left renal vein?
left gonadal and suprarenal veins
Where do the hepatic veins drain into the IVC?
just inferior to the diaphragm (T8)
Where does the aortic bifurcation occur?
L4/umbilicus
Which is more posterior in the midline, SMA or LRV?
Left renal vein
