Blood Vessels and Cardiovascular Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering major systemic arteries, veins, fetal circulation, and clinical conditions of the cardiovascular system based on lecture notes.

Ascending aorta

The first part of the aorta that receives blood from the left ventricle and branches into the left and right coronary arteries to supply the heart.

Aortic arch

The second part of the aorta that gives off the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery to supply the head, neck, brain, and upper limbs.

Descending aorta

The third continuous part of the aorta, divided into thoracic and abdominal parts, that supplies the rest of the body.

Common iliac arteries

The two terminal branches of the aorta that split into external and internal iliac arteries and have no other branches.

External iliac arteries

Two arteries that supply the lower limbs, continuing as the femoral artery into the thigh, which becomes the popliteal artery and then divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

Internal iliac arteries

Two arteries that supply the pelvis and perineum, splitting into an anterior division to the pelvis and a posterior division to the perineum.

Anterior Tibial Artery

Artery located at the front of the leg that supplies the anterior leg muscles and becomes the dorsalis pedis artery to supply the dorsum of the foot.

Posterior Tibial Artery

Artery located at the back of the leg that supplies the posterior leg muscles and gives off the plantar arteries to supply the sole of the foot.

Radial Artery

Artery located on the thumb side of the forearm that supplies the lateral forearm and contributes mainly to the deep palmar arch.

Ulnar Artery

Artery located on the pinky side of the forearm that supplies the medial forearm and contributes mainly to the superficial palmar arch.

Internal carotid arteries

Two arteries supplying mainly the brain, whose branches include the ophthalmic, middle cerebral, and anterior cerebral arteries.

External carotid arteries

Two arteries supplying mainly the head and neck, whose branches include the facial artery and maxillary artery.

Circle of Willis

An arterial circle (anastomosis) supplying the brain formed between the vertebral arteries (from subclavian arteries) and internal carotid arteries.

Pulmonary trunk

Short artery originating from the right ventricle that divides into the left and right pulmonary arteries to carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Portal venous system

Venous system formed by the union of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein that transports nutrient-rich blood from abdominal viscera to the liver.

Azygos venous system

System consisting of the azygos, hemi-azygos, and accessory hemi-azygos veins that drains the thoracic wall and viscera into the superior vena cava.

Dural venous sinuses

Large venous channels located between two layers of dura mater that drain the brain, collect cerebrospinal fluid, and drain into the internal jugular veins.

Internal jugular veins

Two veins that drain the brain and most head and neck structures, accompanying the internal and common carotid arteries, and unite with subclavian veins to form brachiocephalic veins.

Brachiocephalic veins

Two veins formed by the union of the internal jugular vein and subclavian vein on each side that merge to form the superior vena cava.

Superior vena cava

Large vein formed by the union of the brachiocephalic veins that drains the head, neck, and upper limbs into the right atrium.

Inferior vena cava

Large vein formed by the union of the common iliac veins that passes through the diaphragm to drain the abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs into the right atrium.

Capacitance vessels

Blood vessels (mainly veins) capable of holding up to 70% of the body's blood volume and adapting to changes in blood volume.

Sphygmomanometer

An instrument used to measure arterial blood pressure close to the heart, most commonly placed on the brachial artery.

Hypotension

Chronic low resting blood pressure that may be caused by blood loss, dehydration, or anaemia.

Hypertension

Chronic high resting blood pressure defined as higher than 140/90.

Tachycardia

Persistent resting heart rate above 100 bpm caused by stress, anxiety, stimulants, heart disease, or fever.

Bradycardia

Persistent resting heart rate below 60 bpm, common during sleep and in endurance-trained athletes.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, normally occurring near the heart valves.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the cardiac muscle, which may lead to muscle necrosis.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium.

Ductus arteriosus

Fetal vessel connecting the aortic arch to the pulmonary arteries to bypass the lungs, which transforms into the ligamentum arteriosum after birth.

Foramen ovale

Fetal opening connecting the atria to bypass the ventricles, which closes after birth to become the fossa ovalis.

Ductus venosus

Fetal structure connecting the umbilical vein to the IVC to bypass the liver, which becomes the ligamentum venosum after birth.

Umbilical vein

Fetal vessel connecting to the mother's placenta that becomes the ligamentum teres in the adult.

Umbilical arteries

Fetal vessels connecting to the mother's placenta that become the medial umbilical ligaments after birth.

Atrial septal defect

Congenital heart defect where the foramen ovale fails to close at birth, causing deoxygenated blood to mix with oxygenated blood in the left atrium.

Patent ductus arteriosus

Congenital heart defect where the duct connecting the pulmonary artery and aortic arch fails to close after birth.

Atherosclerosis

Thickening and hardening of coronary vessels due to fatty deposits in the lumen over time, leading to loss of elasticity and ischemia.

Angina pectoris

Discomfort felt in the heart region and left arm due to moderate ischemia, often accompanied by a feeling of suffocation.

Myocardial infarction

Heart attack caused by sudden occlusion of a coronary vessel with complete obstruction of blood flow, producing damaged tissue called an infarct.

Aneurysm

A bulging sac in the wall of a blood vessel caused by weakness in the wall, commonly occurring in the aorta or brain vessels.

Cardiogenic shock

A leading cause of death where ventricles fail to pump blood effectively due to heart muscle damage.

Septic shock

A cause of shock death resulting from an overwhelming bacterial infection.

Hypovolemic shock

Type of shock caused by a decrease in overall blood volume due to haemorrhage or burns.

Deep vein thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot within vessels of the calf muscle, which can release an embolus that leads to fatal pulmonary embolism.

Varicose veins

Swollen, distorted superficial veins resulting from damaged valves, commonly involving the saphenous veins in the legs or occurring as haemorrhoids in the rectum.