Vessels of the Thoracic Cavity

Question 1

Aorta

Answer 1

Ascending aorta -> aortic arch -> descending aorta

Question 2

Ascending aorta

Answer 2

Gives rise to right and left coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart

Question 3

Aortic arch branches

Answer 3

Brachiocephalic trunk
-left common carotid a.
-right common carotid a.
-right subclavian a.
Left subclavian a.

Question 4

Subclavian artery branches

Answer 4

Vertebral a.
Costocervical trunk
-Dorsal scapular a.
-Deep cervical a.
-Thoracic vertebral a.
Superficial cervical a.
Internal thoracic a.
Axillary a.

Question 5

Descending aorta (thoracic portion) branches

Answer 5

Dorsal intercostal aa.
Bronchoesophageal aa.

Question 6

Cranial vena cava

Answer 6

Drains blood from the head, neck, and thoracic limbs
Formed by joining of right and left brachiocephalic veins (formed by joining of subclavian and external jugular vv.)

Question 7

Caudal vena cava

Answer 7

Drains blood from the abdomen, pelvis, pelvic limb, and tail

Question 8

Azygos vein

Answer 8

Only right azygos develops in dogs and cats
Collects blood from dorsal intercostal vv. which drain blood from the dorsal third of the thoracic wall
Drains into the cranial vena cava or right atrium of the heart

Question 9

Internal thoracic vein

Answer 9

Courses with internal thoracic a.
Drains blood from the ventral intercostal veins
Right and left drain into a common trunk which drains into cranial vena cava