Cardiovascular System: Vessels

artery

blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

vein

blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart

tunica intima

the innermost layer of a blood vessel, composed of a single layer of squamous epithelial cells over a sheet of connective tissue; its smooth, frictionless surface allows blood to flow smoothly through the vessel

tunica media

middle layer of artery; made up of smooth muscle fibers and thick layer of elastic connective tissue

tunica externa

outer layer of a blood vessel which connects it to surrounding tissues; comprised of connective tissue

aorta

largest artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body

ascending aorta

the ascending part of the aorta as it emerges from the left ventricle

aortic arch

a curved blood vessel from which arteries branch to the head and neck

descending aorta

the descending part of the aorta that branches into the thoracic and abdominal aortae

thoracic aorta

part of the aorta the descends from the aortic arch through the thorax to the diaphragm

abdominal aorta

lower part of the descending aorta; continues below the diaphragm through the abdomen until it splits near the lower back/pelvis into common iliac arteries

brachiocephalic trunk

first large artery arising from the aortic arch; carries oxygenated blood to the neck, head, and right arm

right common carotid artery

branches off brachiocephalic artery

supplies blood to right side of head and brain

right internal carotid artery

supplies internal skull structures (eyes, parts of forehead, and nose) and brain, right side

right external carotid artery

supplies structures external to skull; neck, face, and scalp

right subclavian artery

branched off of the brachiocephalic; courses beneath clavicle towards armpit to become axillary artery; supplies right arm

right axillary artery

takes blood from right subclavian to brachial artery; blood to right shoulder and upper arm

left subclavian artery

third branch of the aortic arch that distributes blood to the left arm, chest, and brain

left axillary artery

runs through armpit area to supply blood to left shoulder, chest wall, and upper arm

left common carotid artery

supplies left side of head and neck

Left internal carotid artery

supplies internal skull structures (eyes) and brain, left side

left external carotid artery

supplies structures external to skull, left side; neck, face, and head

brachial artery

artery of the upper arm; goes to upper arm, elbow, forearm, and hand

radial artery

major artery in the forearm; blood to wrist, lower arm, and hand from lateral side

ulnar artery

artery that supplies blood to the forearm, wrist and hand from medial side

internal thoracic artery

branch of subclavian artery; supplies anterior chest wall, breasts, and upper abdominal wall

lateral thoracic artery

serves lateral chest wall; side of breast and outer chest wall

anterior/posterior intercostal arteries

supply the area between the ribs on the anterior and posterior respectively, as well as chest wall and overlaying tissues

pericardial arteries

supply the pericardium

bronchial arteries

supply oxygenated blood to lung tissues

esophageal arteries

supply the esophagus with oxygen and nutrients

superior phrenic arteries

deliver blood to the superior surface of the diaphragm

Inferior phrenic arteries

supply the inferior surface of diaphragm

celiac trunk

major artery supplying abdominal organs

left gastric artery

smallest most superior branch; supplies blood to lower esophagus and lesser curvature of the stomach

splenic artery

supplies blood to the spleen, pancreas, and stomach

common hepatic artery

supplies liver, stomach, gallbladder, duodenum

middle suprarenal artery

supplies each adrenal gland

renal artery

supplies blood to the kidneys from aorta

superior mesenteric artery

large abdominal artery; feed first 2/3 of colon, small intestine, and lower half of pancreas

gonadal artery

supplies blood to the male and female gonads

inferior mesenteric artery

Supplies the distal areas (last 1/3) of the large intestine, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum and upper anal canal

lumbar arteries

supply blood to the lumbar region, the abdominal wall, and spinal cord

common iliac artery

terminal branches of the abdominal aorta, supplies pelvic organs and lower limbs

internal iliac artery

supplies walls and organs of pelvis, gluteal region, and perineum

external iliac artery

supplies lower limbs

femoral artery

the major artery supplying the leg. thighs, and groin

lateral circumflex femoral artery

upper femur, thigh muscles, knee, and joints of hip

popliteal artery

artery that supplies blood to the foot, leg, and knee; divides into two separate arteries known as the anterior tibial artery and the posterior tibial artery

anterior and posterior tibial arteries

delivers blood to the lower leg and foot

fibular artery

branches off posterior tibial artery; supplies lateral compartment of leg and fibula bone

radial vein

drain deoxygenated blood from lateral side of the hand and forearm

ulnar veins

deep; carry oxygen depleted blood from the lower medial portion of the forearm and hand

basilic vein

superficial: carry oxygen depleted blood from the lower medial portion of the forearm and hand

cephalic vein

on the outermost side of the upper arm; carry oxygen depleted blood from outer arm and forearm (lateral)

median antebrachial vein

drains blood from palm and wrist

median cubital vein

drains the anterior elbow; lower arm and hand; connects superficial to deep veins

brachial vein

drain oxygen-poor blood from the muscles and tissues of the upper arm and forearm into the larger central veins

axillary vein

drain blood from upper limbs, shoulder, and lateral chest wall

external jugular vein

carries blood returning to the heart from the scalp, skull outside, and deep face

subclavian vein

blood drain from upper extremities

internal jugular vein

drains the brain, face, and head

brachiocephalic vein

drains head, neck, and upper arms

anterior and posterior intercostal veins

drain chest intercoastal spaces

hemiazygos vein

drains the esophageal veins from the esophagus, left subcoastal spaces, and mediastinum

azygos vein

drains blood from the back chest wall and abdomen

anterior and posterior tibial veins

drains from the deep veins of the foot/ lower extremities

fibular veins

drain blood from the lateral compartment of the lower leg

small saphenous vein

superficial drainage of lateral foot and posterior calf

popliteal vein

the vein that forms when the anterior and posterior tibial veins unite at the knee; calf and feet

great saphenous vein

longest vein in body; drains blood from foot, leg, and thigh;

joins with femoral vein

femoral vein

major vein of the thigh that receives blood from the deep femoral and great saphenous vein

common iliac vein

receives blood from the internal and external iliac veins and returns blood to the inferior vena cava; pelvis and lower legs

external iliac vein

receives venous blood from the lower extremities; leg, lower anterior abdominal wall, and pubic region

internal iliac vein

drains pelvic organs, walls, and deep gluteal regions

lumbar veins

drain the lumbar portion of the abdominal wall, muscles, skin of the back, and spinal cord

right gonadal vein

drains the right ovary in females and right testicle in males

left gonadal vein

drains into the left renal vein: drains the left ovary in females and left testicle in males

renal veins

drain the kidneys

suprarenal vein

drain the adrenal glands

inferior phrenic vein

drains lower surface of the diaphragm

hepatic veins

drain the liver

hepatic portal vein

carries nutrient-rich and toxin-rich blood from the capillaries of the villi, digestive organs, and spleen to the liver, then to the heart

splenic vein

drains the spleen, pancreas, and parts of stomach into hepatic portal system

gastric veins

drains stomach and lower esophagus into hepatic portal system

inferior mesenteric vein

drains rectum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon into hepatic portal system

superior mesenteric vein

drains small intestines and parts of large intestine into the hepatic portal system