Week 12 - Vasculature of the Heart

ascending aorta

emerges directly from LV, runs superiorly

• receives highly pressurized blood, contains root

aortic arch

curved portion of ascending aorta

• passes blood to arteries, descending aorta

brachiocephalic trunk of aorta

first branch off aortic arch

• supplies head, neck, right brachium

right common carotid artery

medial branch of brachiocephalic trunk

• supply head and neck

right subclavian artery

lateral branch of brachiocephalic trunk

• supply right brachium

left common carotid artery

second branch of aortic arch

• supply head and neck

left subclavian artery

third branch of aortic arch

• supply left brachium

left/right brachiocephalic veins

formed by union of subclavian and internal jugular veins

• drains brachium, brain, face, neck

superior vena cava

formed by union of brachiocephalic veins, empties to RA

• drains brachium, brain, face, neck, thoracic wall

coronary sinus

passes from left to right in posterior portion of heart

• receives blood circulating with the heart’s muscle and returns it to the right atrium

inferior vena cava

makes wall of right atrium

• largest vein in the body which returns blood from the lower portion of the body to the heart

thoracic aorta

part of descending aorta which is continuation of aortic arch

• conduct high pressure blood inferiorly

phrenic nerve (lateral)

originates at C3-C5 and passes between lung and heart to reach diaphragm

• important for breathing, passes motor information to diaphragm and receives sensory information for diaphragm

vagus nerve (CN X) (medial)

paired, runs laterally along trachea/esophagus; phrenic nerve close

• sensory input, motor output to thoracic organs

diaphragm

wide, flat, domed skeletal muscle under the lungs; muscle separating thorax and abdomen

• primary muscle of respiration; with intercostals creates pressure differentials needed for filling the lungs