TMA Arteries Flashcards
what is the largest artery in the body
Aorta
role of the Aorta
receives the cardiac output from the left ventricle and supplies the body with oxygenated blood via the systemic circulation
what 4 parts is the aorta divided into?
ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic (descending) aorta and the abdominal aorta.
where does the aorta bificate and what does it bifucation into?
L4 into the right and left comon iliac arteries
descibe the course of the ascending aorta including where it starts and ends
arises from the aortic orifice from the left ventricle and ascends to become the aortic arch.
what the dilations in the ascending aorta, located at the level of the aortic valve and what do they give rise to?
the LR aortic sinuses
Giving rise to LR coronary arteries
what do the LR coronary arties supply
myocardium
describe the course of the aortic aorta
continuation of the ascending aorta and begins at the level of the second sternocostal joint. It arches superiorly, posteriorly and to the left before moving inferiorly.
The aortic arch ends at the level of the T4 vertebra.
what attaches the aortic arch to the pulmonary trunk and what is it a remnat of
the ligamentum arteriosum rement of the ductus arteriosus
what are the three major branches of the aortic arch and what do they supply?
Brachiocephalic trunk: The first and largest branch that ascends laterally to split into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. These arteries supply the right side of the head and neck, and the right upper limb.
Left common carotid artery: Supplies the left side of the head and neck.
Left subclavian artery: Supplies the left upper limb.
describe the journey of the descending/thoracic aorta
The thoracic (descending) aorta spans from the level of T4 to T12. Continuing from the aortic arch, it initially begins to the left of the vertebral column but approaches the midline as it descends. It leaves the thorax via the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm, and becomes the abdominal aorta.
what are the branches of the abdominal aorta and what does each supply
Bronchial arteries: Paired visceral branches arising laterally to supply bronchial and peribronchial tissue and visceral pleura. However, most commonly, only the paired left bronchial artery arises directly from the aorta whilst the right branches off usually from the third posterior intercostal artery.
Mediastinal arteries: Small arteries that supply the lymph glands and loose areolar tissue in the posterior mediastinum.
Oesophageal arteries: Unpaired visceral branches arising anteriorly to supply the oesophagus.
Pericardial arteries: Small unpaired arteries that arise anteriorly to supply the dorsal portion of the pericardium.
Superior phrenic arteries: Paired parietal branches that supply the superior portion of the diaphragm.
Intercostal and subcostal arteries: Small paired arteries that branch off throughout the length of the posterior thoracic aorta. The 9 pairs of intercostal arteries supply the intercostal spaces, with the exception of the first and second (they are supplied by a branch from the subclavian artery). The subcostal arteries supply the flat abdominal wall muscles.
descirbe the journey of the abdominal aorta
The abdominal aorta is a continuation of the thoracic aorta beginning at the level of the T12 vertebrae. It is approximately 13cm long and ends at the level of the L4 vertebra. At this level, the aorta terminates by bifurcating into the right and left common iliac arteries that supply the lower body.
what are the branches of the abdominal aorta
Inferior phrenic arteries: Paired parietal arteries arising posteriorly at the level of T12. They supply the diaphragm.
Coeliac artery: A large, unpaired visceral artery arising anteriorly at the level of T12. It is also known as the celiac trunk and supplies the liver, stomach, abdominal oesophagus, spleen, the superior duodenum and the superior pancreas.
Superior mesenteric artery: A large, unpaired visceral artery arising anteriorly, just below the celiac artery. It supplies the distal duodenum, jejuno-ileum, ascending colon and part of the transverse colon. It arises at the lower level of L1.
Middle suprarenal arteries: Small paired visceral arteries that arise either side posteriorly at the level of L1 to supply the adrenal glands.
Renal arteries: Paired visceral arteries that arise laterally at the level between L1 and L2. They supply the kidneys.
Gonadal arteries: Paired visceral arteries that arise laterally at the level of L2. Note that the male gonadal artery is referred to as the testicular artery and in females, the ovarian artery.
Inferior mesenteric artery: A large, unpaired visceral artery that arises anteriorly at the level of L3. It supplies the large intestine from the splenic flexure to the upper part of the rectum.
Median sacral artery: An unpaired parietal artery that arises posteriorly at the level of L4 to supply the coccyx, lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum.
Lumbar arteries: There are four pairs of parietal lumbar arteries that arise posterolaterally between the levels of L1 and L4 to supply the abdominal wall and spinal cord.
