Vascular Structures Flashcards
Cardiac cycle
Arteries transport oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to organs and muscles in the body
Veins return unoxygenated blood from the organs and muscles to the right atrium
Unoxygenated blood travel from the right atrium to the right ventricle where it is forced into the pulmonary arteries
Blood is carried to the lungs and an exchange of gas occurred
The oxygenated blood returns to the heart via pulmonary veins emptying into the left atrium
What are the three layers of arteries and veins
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica adventitia
What is the inner most layer of arteries and veins called and what is is composed of
Tunica intima (interna) Composed of endothelial lining and elastic tissue
What is the middle layer of arteries and veins and what is it composed of
Tunica media
Composed of elastic divers and smooth muscle
What is the outermost layer of arteries and veins and what is it composed of
Tunica adventitia (externa) Composed of elastic and collagen fibers
Is the tunica media thicker in arteries or veins
Arteries
What are the difference between arteries and veins
Arterial walls are thicker than veins
Arteries maintain shape whereas veins collapse readily
Venous caliber varies with respiration
Veins contain valves that permit flow only in the direction of the heart
Arterial blood flow influenced by heart contractions
Venous blood flow influenced by pressure gradient differences, breathing and skeletal muscle contractions
Veins have a larger total diameter than arteries
Blood flow is slower in venous than in arterial circulation
Anatomy of the aorta
Retropertoneal
Enters the abdominal cavity via the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
Lies anterior to the spine, slightly left of midline
Moves caudally, becomes more anterior and tapers distally
What are the anterior anatomical relationships of the aorta
Cure of diaphragm Celiac axis Lesser sac SMA Left renal artery Body of pancreas IMA Splenic vein Splenic artery Left lobe of liver
What are the lateral anatomical relationships of the aorta
Curran’s of diaphragm
What is the anteroleft anatomical relationship of the aorta
GE junction
What are the branches of the aorta
Celiac artery
SMA right and left renal arteries
Right and left gonadal arteries
IMA common iliac arteries
What are the three branches of the celiac axis
Left gastric artery
Common hepatic artery
Splenic artery
What is the configuration of the celiac axis
T or y shaped
What is the smallest branch of the celiac axis, how does it travel and is seen on ultrasound
Left gastric
Not well seen on ultrasound
Has an anterior and superior course from the celiac axis than it descends along the lesser curve of the stomach
How does the common hepatic artery travel and what are it’s branches
Horizontal path to the right
Superior to the pancreatic head
Turns anterior at duodenum entering the liver at ports hepatis
Anterior to the main portal vein
Branches into the GDA and renamed the Heptic artery proper
What are the branches of the Hepatic artery
Gastroduodenal artery
Right gastric artery
Cystic artery
Gastroduodenal artery
Courses caudally in a path posteromedial to the duodenum
Landmark for the anterolateral aspect of the pancreatic head
Right gastric artery
First branch off of the right hepatic artery
Cystic artery
Arises from the right hepatic artery
Supplies the full bladder, CBD and hepatic ducts
Splenic artery
Travels left towards spleen
Largest of the 3 branches
Tortuous
Posterior and superior to pancreas
Supplies blood to the pancreas head and stomach
Divides into 5 or more branches at the splenic hilum
SMA
Second branch off thof aorta
Posterior to pancreatic body
Anterior to the uncinate and third part of the duodenum
Corses inferiorly
Blood supply for the small and large bowel
Renal arteries
Branch off the aorta slightly inferior to the SMA
RRA runs posterior to the IVC
RRA is longer than LRA
Divides into several branches at the renal hilum
Gonadal arteries
Not typically visualized on ultrasound
Branch off the anterior aorta
Inferior to renal arteries
IMA
Last major branch of the aorta
Aries from the anterior aspect of the aorta superior to the bifurcation
Courses inferiorly and to the left
Supplies blood to the transverse, descending and sigmoid colon
Supplies blood to the rectum
Not identified on ultrasound because of small size and bowel gas
Common iliac arteries
At the level of L4 (umbilicus) aorta bifurcates into the left and right CIA
Courses inferiorly and posterior dividing into the internal and external iliac arteries
Lie anterior and lateral to the common iliac veins
IVC
Largest vessel that returns blood to the heart
Formed by the unio. Of the common iliac veins just below the level of L5
Retroperitoneal
Right of midline, cranially
Enters the right atrium of the heart
Many tributaries
When is the IVC considered dilated
When the diameter exceeds 3.7cm
Renal veins
Enter lateral aspect of IVC
Anterior to renal arteries
Right renal vein is shorter than left
Left courses anterior to the aorta and posterior to the SMA
Gonadal veins
Right empties directly into the IVC
Left drains into the LRV
Lumbar vein
Branches of the common iliac veins and/or IVC
Travel lateral to the spine, posterior to the psoas muscle
Hepatic veins
3 veins
Drain blood from liver
Drain into the IVC just inferior to diaphragm
Increases in size closer to the IVC and diaphragm
No valves
Colour Doppler and spectral wave form analysis
Colour map superimposed over a 2D image
Potency and flow direction
Angle dependant
Import to understand normal flow direction for each vessel
