Overview of Arteries, Veins, and Anatomy of the Cat

Ascending aorta

Carries oxygenated blood from heart to body.

Aortic arch

Connects ascending aorta to descending aorta.

Brachiocephalic artery

Major branch supplying head, neck, right forelimb.

Left common carotid artery

Supplies blood to the left side of the head.

Right common carotid artery

Supplies blood to the right side of the head.

Left vertebral artery

Supplies posterior brain and spinal cord.

Right vertebral artery

Branches from right subclavian to brain.

Left subclavian artery

Branches from aortic arch, supplies left forelimb.

Right subclavian artery

Branches from brachiocephalic artery, supplies right forelimb.

Axillary artery

Main artery supplying the forelimb.

Brachial artery

Continuation of axillary artery in forelimb.

Thoracic aorta

First part of descending aorta in thorax.

Abdominal aorta

Continuation of thoracic aorta in abdomen.

Celiac artery

First major branch of abdominal aorta.

Cranial mesenteric artery

Supplies small intestine and part of large intestine.

Renal arteries

Supply blood to the kidneys.

Gonadal arteries

Supply blood to reproductive organs.

Caudal mesenteric artery

Supplies distal large intestine.

External iliac arteries

Main blood supply to hind limbs.

Internal iliac arteries

Supply pelvic organs and gluteal region.

Femoral arteries

Primary blood supply to hind legs.

Deep femoral arteries

Supply deeper thigh and pelvic structures.

Anterior vena cava

Returns deoxygenated blood from upper body.

Brachiocephalic veins

Formed by subclavian and jugular veins.

Jugular veins

Drain blood from head and neck.

Subclavian veins

Drain blood from forelimbs and upper thorax.

Axillary veins

Drain blood from upper forelimb.

Brachial veins

Collect blood from deep forelimb muscles.

Posterior vena cava

Returns deoxygenated blood from lower body.

Renal veins

Drain blood from kidneys.

Gonadal veins

Drain blood from ovaries or testes.

Adrenolumbar veins

Drain blood from adrenal glands.

Iliac veins

Drain blood from pelvic region and hindlimbs.

Adrenolumbar veins

Drain adrenal glands and dorsal body wall.

Right adrenolumbar vein

Drains directly into the posterior vena cava.

Left adrenolumbar vein

May join renal vein before posterior vena cava.

Renal veins

Drain blood from the kidneys and gonadal veins.

Left renal vein

Longer, may receive left gonadal and adrenolumbar veins.

Right renal vein

Drains directly into the posterior vena cava.

Gonadal veins

Drain reproductive organs: testicular or ovarian.

Left gonadal vein

Drains into left renal vein before posterior vena cava.

Right gonadal vein

Drains directly into the posterior vena cava.

Iliolumbar veins

Drain lower back muscles and pelvic wall.

Common iliac veins

Formed by external and internal iliac veins.

External iliac veins

Drain blood from hindlimbs into common iliac veins.

Internal iliac veins

Drain pelvic organs and join external iliac veins.

Hindlimb drainage

Involves femoral, external, and common iliac veins.

Pelvic drainage

Involves internal iliac veins and pelvic organs.

Posterior vena cava

Major vein returning blood to the right atrium.

Right atrium

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

Dorsal body wall

Musculature in the lumbar region of the cat.

Adrenal glands

Endocrine glands located above the kidneys.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood and produce urine.

Reproductive organs

Include testes in males and ovaries in females.

Gluteal muscles

Muscles in the buttocks region aiding movement.

Pelvic wall

Structure enclosing the pelvic cavity.

Perineum

Region surrounding the anus and genitalia.

Internal iliac veins

Veins draining blood from pelvic organs.

Common iliac veins

Veins formed by merging internal iliac veins.

Posterior vena cava

Major vein returning deoxygenated blood to heart.

Right atrium

Chamber of heart receiving deoxygenated blood.

Femoral veins

Major veins draining legs and feet.

External iliac veins

Veins carrying blood from femoral veins to pelvis.

Deep femoral veins

Veins draining deeper thigh and hip structures.

Adductors

Muscles responsible for thigh adduction.

Quadriceps

Muscles at the front of the thigh.

Esophagus

Tube connecting throat to stomach.

Larynx

Voice box located in the throat.

Diaphragm

Muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Cardiac sphincter

Muscle controlling entry from esophagus to stomach.

Liver

Large organ processing nutrients and detoxifying substances.

Gallbladder

Organ storing bile beneath the liver.

Cystic duct

Duct connecting gallbladder to bile duct.

Stomach

Organ for food digestion in the upper abdomen.

Greater omentum

Fold of peritoneum covering intestines.

Lesser omentum

Fold connecting stomach to liver.

Pancreas

Gland producing digestive enzymes and hormones.

Pancreas

Organ near the duodenum, aids digestion.

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine, connects to stomach.

Pyloric sphincter

Regulates food exit from stomach to duodenum.

Jejunum

Middle section of the small intestine.

Ileum

Final section of the small intestine, leads to cecum.

Ileocecal valve

Sphincter controlling flow from ileum to cecum.

Cecum

Beginning of large intestine, connects to ileum.

Ascending colon

Part of large intestine, travels upward from cecum.

Transverse colon

Horizontal section connecting ascending and descending colon.

Descending colon

Part of large intestine, runs downward on left side.

Sigmoid colon

S-shaped section before the rectum.

Rectum

Final section of large intestine, leads to anal canal.

Common bile duct

Duct that carries bile to the duodenum.

Liver

Organ near pancreas, processes nutrients and detoxifies.

Spleen

Organ near pancreas, involved in blood filtration.

Pelvic region

Area where rectum is located.

Gastrointestinal tract

Digestive system pathway from mouth to anus.

Anal canal

Final part of the digestive tract.

Colon

Part of the large intestine, includes several sections.

Abdominal cavity

Space containing digestive organs including intestines.

Herbivores

Animals with larger ceca for plant material fermentation.

Mucosa

Deepest layer of GI tract, includes epithelium.

Submucosa

Connective tissue supporting mucosa, includes glands.