Venous Anatomy Flashcards
What is the primary learning outcome of DMST 265?
Identify the veins of the venous circulatory system and their structures.
What are the objectives of the venous circulatory anatomy course?
1.1 Describe the anatomy of a vein.
1.2 Review the venous anatomy of the peripheral venous system.
1.3 Review the anatomy of the portal venous system.
1.4 Describe common variants of the venous system.
What are the three layers of a vein?
- Tunica Intima – single layer of endothelial cells.
- Tunica Media – thicker layer of smooth muscle cells and collagen fiber.
- Tunica Adventitia – fibrous layer surrounding elastic tissue.
What is the function of resistance vessels?
They provide the principal resistance to blood flow and govern the pressure in the arterial tree.
What do exchange vessels do?
Single celled capillary walls exchange oxygen, CO2, nutrients, water, inorganic ions, vitamins, hormones, metabolic products, and immune substances between blood and tissue fluids.
What are capacitance vessels?
Venules and tributaries of veins that collect blood from capillary beds and provide a low-pressure blood reservoir.
What is the role of valves in veins?
Valves help counter gravity and stop the reversal of flow in veins.
What is the average total blood volume of an adult?
5 liters.
What are the three main types of blood cells?
- Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) - transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) - responsible for immunity.
- Platelets - involved in wound repair and blood clotting.
Describe the cardiac cycle.
The cycle explains the blood flow pattern into and out of the heart, involving the right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, pulmonary arteries, left atrium, mitral valve, left ventricle, and aortic valve.
What is the difference between the venous and arterial systems?
The venous system is low pressure and high volume, whereas the arterial system is high pressure and low volume.
What are the types of veins assessed with ultrasound? 3
- Deep veins
- Superficial veins
- Perforator veins.
What is the common iliac vein (CIV)?
The CIV is formed by the confluence of the internal iliac vein and the external iliac vein and is seen at the level of the sacroiliac joints.
What is the Great Saphenous Vein (GSV)?
The GSV joins the common femoral vein 4 cm inferior to the inguinal ligament and is the longest vein of the body.
What are perforating veins?
Veins that connect the superficial veins to the deep veins to return blood to the heart, each containing a valve for unidirectional flow.
What are the major perforators?
- Dodd’s - Thigh perforators
- Boyd’s - Knee perforators
- Cockett’s - Ankle perforators.
What are the gastrocnemius veins?
Veins that empty into the popliteal vein and arise from within the gastrocnemius muscle.
What are soleal sinuses?
Thick-walled venous reservoirs within the soleal muscle that do not contain valves and are a frequent site of thrombosis.
What does the SCV change to at the lateral border of the first rib?
The SCV changes to the axillary vein once the cephalic vein joins.
How is the axillary vein formed?
The axillary vein is formed by the union of the Basilic vein and the Brachial vein.
What forms the Brachial vein?
The Brachial vein is formed by the union of the Ulnar veins and the Radial veins.
What are superficial veins?
Superficial veins are the primary route of venous drainage for the upper extremity and are closer to the skin surface than deep veins.
Where does the Cephalic vein join the axillary vein?
The Cephalic vein joins the axillary vein at the distal clavicle, medial to the humeral head.
What does the median cubital vein form?
The median cubital vein forms the lateral dorsal arch of the hand and is fed by the digital veins.
