Week 1 - Lesson 3 (Part 1) Flashcards
What is the first part of the aorta?
The ascending aorta
What is the first important branches of the ascending aorta?
The right and left coronary arteries
Where do the coronary arteries originate?
From the proximal ascending aorta
What do the coronary arteries do?
They supply the heart muscles with nutrients and oxygen
What is the first major branch off of the aortic arch?
Brachiocephalic artery
What is another word for brachiocephalic artery?
Innominate artery
What does the innominate artery give rise to? (2)
- Right subclavian artery
2. Right common carotid artery
What are the 3 branches off of the aortic arch?
- Brachiocephalic artery
- Left common carotid artery
- Left subclavian arteries
Where does the descending aorta curve and course? (2)
- Curves = downwards
2. Courses = posteriorly to the heart and descends through the chest as the descending thoracic artery
Why does descending aorta branch often?
In order to supply the thoracic structures
Where does the thoracic aorta pass through?
The aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
Where does the abdominal aorta begin?
After it has passed through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
What is the most common aortic/branch variant?
Common origin of the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries
- 22%
What is the second most common aortic/branch variant?
Left vertebral arising directly from the arch
- 4-8%
What is the third most common aortic/branch variant?
Common origin of both of the common carotid arteries
- < 1%
