BSC2086L E.5 Blood Vessels

Developed for the Broward College course Anatomy and Physiology II.

artery

• Transports blood away from the heart.

• Has the thickest tunica media.

• Also known as resistance or efferent vessels.

arteriole

A smaller branch of an artery.

capillary

• The smallest blood vessel.

• Consists of a single cell endothelium supported by a thin basement membrane.

• Allows the movement of small molecules and fluid between the blood and interstitial fluid.

vein

• Transports blood to the heart.

• Also known as capacitance or afferent vessels.

• Some contain valves.

venule

A smaller branch converging to form a larger vein.

tunica externa

• The outermost layer of an artery wall.

• Composed of loose connective tissue and collagen fibers.

• Also known as the tunica adventitia.

external elastic membrane

• A thin layer of elastic connective tissue.

• Found between the tunica externa and tunica media.

tunica media

• The middle layer of an artery wall.

• Composed of smooth muscle and elastic fibers.

• The smooth muscle allows for vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

internal elastic membrane

• A thin layer of elastic connective tissue.

• Found between the tunica media and tunica interna.

• Allows the lumen of a blood vessel to stretch.

tunica interna

• The innermost layer of an artery.

• Consists of an inner endothelium and an outer basement membrane.

• Also known as the tunica intima.

endothelium

• Part of the tunica interna.

• Composes a smooth inner surface of the vessel.

valve

• Found in some veins.

• Establishes unidirectional flow of blood.

common carotid artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the brachiocephalic trunk (R.) or the aortic arch (L.).

• Supplies the head and neck through its branches.

external carotid artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the common carotid artery.

• Supplies the extracranial structures through its branches.

• Laterally, the anteriormost artery of the neck.

facial artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the external carotid artery.

• Supplies the skin and muscles of the face.

maxillary artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the external carotid artery.

• Supplies the teeth, maxilla, oral cavity, and external ear.

superficial temporal artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the external carotid artery.

• Supplies the chewing muscles, nasal cavity, lateral face and scalp, and dura mater.

occipital artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the external carotid artery.

• Supplies the posterior scalp.

internal carotid artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the common carotid artery.

• Supplies the cerebrum through its branches.

• Laterally, the middle artery of the neck.

vertebral artery

• An artery of the head and neck.

• Originates from the subclavian artery.

• Supplies the spinal cord, meninges, and neck muscles.

• Laterally, the posteriormost artery of the neck.

superficial temporal vein

• A vein of the head and neck.

• Drains the chewing muscles and scalp.

• Empties into the internal jugular vein.

facial vein

• A vein of the head and neck.

• Drains the skin and muscles of the face.

• Empties into the internal jugular vein.

occipital vein

• A vein of the head and neck.

• Drains the posterior scalp.

• Empties into the external jugular vein.

external jugular vein

• A vein of the head and neck.

• Drains the facial muscles and scalp.

• Empties into the subclavian vein.

• Laterally, the posteriormost vein of the neck.

vertebral vein

• A vein of the head and neck (not shown).

• Drains the spinal cord and neck muscles.

• Empties into the subclavian vein.

• Laterally, the middle vein of the neck.

internal jugular vein

• A vein of the head and neck.

• Drains the brain, face, and neck.

• Empties into the subclavian vein.

• Laterally, the anteriormost vein of the neck.

anterior cerebral artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation.

• Originates from the internal carotid artery.

• Supplies the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain.

anterior communicating artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation (not shown).

• Connects the right and left anterior cerebral arteries.

posterior communicating artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation (not shown).

• Connects the posterior cerebral and internal carotid arteries.

posterior cerebral artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation.

• Originates from the basilar artery.

• Supplies the temporal and occipital lobes, midbrain, and thalamus.

middle cerebral artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation (not shown).

• Originates from the internal carotid arteries.

• Supplies the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.

basilar artery

• An artery of the cerebral circulation.

• Originates from the convergence of the vertebral arteries.

• Supplies the cerebellum, pons, and inner ear through its branches.

superior sagittal sinus

• A vein of the cerebral circulation.

• Drains the superficial brain.

• Empties into the internal jugular vein.

inferior sagittal sinus

• A vein of the cerebral circulation.

• Drains the deep brain.

• Empties into the internal jugular vein.

ascending aorta

• An artery of the thorax.

• Originates from the left ventricle of the heart.

• Supplies its branches.

aortic arch

• An artery of the thorax.

• Originates as the continuation of the ascending aorta.

• Supplies its branches: the brachiocephalic trunk, L. subclavian artery, and L. common carotid artery.

brachiocephalic trunk

• An artery of the thorax.

• Originates from the aortic arch.

• Supplies its branches: the R. subclavian and R. common carotid arteries.

subclavian artery

• An artery of the thorax.

• Originates from the brachiocephalic trunk (R.) or the aortic arch (L.).

• Supplies its branches.

thoracic aorta

• An artery of the thorax.

• Originates as the continuation of the aortic arch.

• Supplies its branches.

subclavian vein

• A vein of the thorax.

• Drains the axillary vein.

• Empties into the brachiocephalic vein.

brachiocephalic vein

• A vein of the thorax.

• Drains the subclavian, external jugular, vertebral, internal jugular, and left intercostal (1-3) veins.

• Empties into the superior vena cava.

superior vena cava

• A vein of the thorax.

• Drains the azygos and brachiocephalic veins.

• Empties into the right atrium.

celiac trunk

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the upper abdominal viscera through its branches: the L. gastric, common hepatic, and splenic arteries.

• On the abdominal aorta, the most superior artery.

left gastric artery

• An artery of the abdomen (not shown).

• Originates from the celiac trunk.

• Supplies the stomach and inferior esophagus.

common hepatic artery

• An artery of the abdomen (not shown).

• Originates from the celiac trunk.

• Supplies the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

splenic artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the celiac trunk.

• Supplies the spleen, pancreas, and stomach.

superior mesenteric artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the pancreas, small intestine, and most of the colon.

• On the abdominal aorta, inferior to the celiac trunk and superior to the suprarenal arteries.

suprarenal artery

• An artery of the abdomen (not shown).

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the adrenal glands.

• On the abdominal aorta, inferior to the superior mesenteric artery and superior to the renal arteries.

renal artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the kidneys.

• On the abdominal aorta, inferior to the suprarenal arteries and superior to the gonadal arteries.

gonadal artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the ovaries (female) or testes (male).

• On the abdominal aorta, inferior to the renal arteries.

lumbar artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the spinal cord and dorsal abdominal wall.

inferior mesenteric artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the distal end of the colon and rectum.

• On the abdominal aorta, inferior to the gonadal artery and superior to the common iliac arteries.

common iliac artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates as the continuation of the abdominal aorta after it forks.

• Supplies the pelvic structures and lower extremities through its branches.

median sacral artery

• An artery of the abdomen.

• Originates from the abdominal aorta.

• Supplies the sacrum and coccyx.

hepatic vein

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains the liver.

• Empties into the inferior vena cava.

• On the inferior vena cava, the most superior veins.

suprarenal vein

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains the adrenal glands.

• Empties into the inferior vena cava (R.) or the L. renal vein (L.).

• On the inferior vena cava, inferior to the hepatic veins and superior to the renal veins (R.).

renal vein

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains the kidneys.

• Empties into the inferior vena cava.

• On the inferior vena cava, inferior to the hepatic veins and superior to the gonadal veins.

gonadal vein

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains the ovaries (female) or testes (male).

• Empties into the inferior vena cava (R.) or the L. renal vein (L.).

• On the inferior vena cava, inferior to the renal veins and superior to the lumbar veins (R.).

lumbar vein

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains the spinal cord and body wall.

• Empties into the inferior vena cava.

• On the inferior vena cava, inferior to the gonadal veins.

inferior vena cava

• A vein of the abdomen.

• Drains its tributaries: the hepatic, suprarenal, renal, gonadal, lumbar, and common iliac veins.

• Empties into the right atrium of the heart.

• The largest vein in the body.

median sacral vein

• A vein of the abdomen (not shown).

• Drains the sacrum and coccyx.

• Empties into the left common iliac vein.

inferior mesenteric vein

• A vein of the hepatic portal system.

• Drains the rectum and distal colon.

• Empties into the splenic vein.

superior mesenteric vein

• A vein of the hepatic portal system.

• Drains the entire small intestine and parts of the colon and stomach.

• Empties into the hepatic portal vein.

splenic vein

• A vein of the hepatic portal system.

• Drains the spleen and pancreas.

• Empties into the hepatic portal vein.

gastric vein

• A vein of the hepatic portal system (not shown).

• Drains the stomach.

• Empties into the hepatic portal vein.

hepatic portal vein

• A vein of the hepatic portal system.

• Drains the veins of the hepatic portal system: the inferior and superior mesenteric, splenic, and gastric veins.

• Empties into the capillary beds of liver, which drain into the hepatic veins leading back to the inferior vena cava.

axillary artery

• An artery of the upper limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the subclavian artery.

• Supplies the shoulder.

brachial artery

• An artery of the upper limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the axillary artery.

• Supplies the anterior muscles of the upper arm.

radial artery

• An artery of the upper limb.

• Originates from the brachial artery.

• Supplies the lateral forearm muscles.

ulnar artery

• An artery of the upper limb.

• Originates from the brachial artery.

• Supplies the medial forearm muscles.

deep palmar arch

• An artery of the upper limb.

• Originates from the convergence of the radial and ulnar arteries.

• Supplies the palm and fingers.

radial vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the lateral hand and forearm.

• Empties into the brachial vein.

ulnar vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the medial hand and forearm.

• Empties into the brachial vein.

brachial vein

• A vein of the upper limb (not shown).

• Drains the radial and ulnar veins.

• Empties into the axillary vein.

median cubital vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the forearm.

• Connects the basilic and cephalic veins at the antecubital (anterior part of elbow).

basilic vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the medial arm.

• Empties into the brachial vein.

cephalic vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the lateral arm.

• Empties into the axillary vein.

axillary vein

• A vein of the upper limb.

• Drains the brachial and cephalic veins.

• Empties into the subclavian vein.

internal iliac artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates from the common iliac artery.

• Supplies the pelvic wall and viscera.

external iliac artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates from the common iliac artery.

• Supplies the lower limb through its branches.

femoral artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the external iliac artery.

• Supplies the thigh muscles.

popliteal artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the femoral artery.

• Supplies the knee.

anterior tibial artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates from the popliteal artery.

• Supplies the anterior lower leg muscles.

dorsal pedal artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the anterior tibial artery.

• Supplies the ankle and dorsal foot.

posterior tibial artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates as the continuation of the popliteal artery.

• Supplies the posterior lower leg muscles.

fibular artery

• An artery of the lower limb (not shown).

• Originates from the posterior tibial artery.

• Supplies the lateral lower leg muscles.

arcuate artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates from the dorsal pedal artery.

• Supplies the foot.

plantar arch artery

• An artery of the lower limb.

• Originates from the posterior tibial artery.

• Supplies the foot.

small saphenous vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains the lateral lower leg.

• Empties into the popliteal vein.

posterior tibial vein

• A vein of the lower limb (not shown).

• Drains the posterior lower leg.

• Empties into the popliteal vein.

fibular vein

• A vein of the lower limb (not shown).

• Drains the lateral lower leg.

• Empties into the popliteal vein.

anterior tibial vein

• A vein of the lower limb (not shown).

• Drains the anterior lower leg.

• Empties into the popliteal vein.

popliteal vein

• A vein of the lower limb (not shown).

• Drains all of the lower leg veins.

• Empties into the femoral vein.

great saphenous vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains the medial lower leg and thigh.

• Empties into the femoral vein.

• Longest vein of the body.

femoral vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains the deep thigh muscles.

• Empties into the external ilaic vein.

external iliac vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains all of the lower limb veins.

• Empties into the common iliac vein.

internal iliac vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains the pelvic wall and viscera.

• Empties into the common iliac vein.

common iliac vein

• A vein of the lower limb.

• Drains the pelvic cavity and leg veins.

• Empties into the inferior vena cava.

placenta

• Part of the fetal circulation.

• Contains capillaries from the mother and allows for the exchange of resources between the mother and the fetus.

umbilical vein

• Part of the fetal circulation.

• Carries oxygen and nutrients from the placenta through the umbilical cord.