Week 3: Systemic Circulation

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering major arteries, veins, and related concepts involved in systemic circulation, organized from head and neck through upper limbs, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs, including the hepatic portal system.

Systemic Circulation

Circuit that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle through the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart and serves as a blood reservoir.

Capillary

Microscopic vessel where exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs between blood and tissues.

Lymphatic Structures

Vessels and nodes that recover excess tissue fluid and return it to the bloodstream.

Aorta

Largest artery; distributes oxygen-rich blood to all systemic arteries.

Ascending Aorta

Initial segment of the aorta giving rise to left and right coronary arteries.

Aortic Arch

Curved portion of aorta that gives off brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.

Descending Aorta

Continuation of the aorta that passes through thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Thoracic Aorta

Portion of descending aorta above the diaphragm.

Abdominal Aorta

Portion of descending aorta below the diaphragm.

Brachiocephalic Trunk

First branch of the aortic arch; splits into right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.

Right Common Carotid Artery

Supplies blood to the right side of head and neck.

Right Subclavian Artery

Supplies blood to the right upper limb and chest.

Left Common Carotid Artery

Supplies blood to the left side of head and neck.

Left Subclavian Artery

Supplies blood to the left upper limb and chest.

Common Carotid Arteries

Paired arteries that split into internal and external branches to supply head and neck.

Internal Carotid Artery

Feeds 80 % of the cerebrum and contributes to the Circle of Willis.

External Carotid Artery

Supplies scalp, face, and external head structures.

Circle of Willis

Arterial anastomosis at brain base providing collateral cerebral circulation.

Vertebral Arteries

Branches of subclavian arteries that ascend through transverse foramina to supply brain and spinal cord; part of Circle of Willis.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Stroke; most commonly involves the middle cerebral artery within the Circle of Willis.

Internal Jugular Vein

Primary vein draining blood from the brain to the subclavian vein.

External Jugular Vein

Drains superficial structures of face and neck.

Vertebral Vein

Drains spinal cord, deep neck muscles, and cervical vertebrae.

Subclavian Vein

Receives blood from upper limb; joins internal jugular to form brachiocephalic vein.

Brachiocephalic Veins

Right and left veins formed by subclavian and internal jugular veins; unite to form superior vena cava.

Superior Vena Cava

Large vein returning systemic blood from above the diaphragm to right atrium.

Axillary Artery

Continuation of subclavian artery through the armpit region.

Brachial Artery

Continuation of axillary artery in the arm; common site for blood-pressure measurement.

Radial Artery

Lateral forearm artery routinely palpated for heart rate.

Ulnar Artery

Medial forearm artery supplying hand with radial artery.

Cephalic Vein

Superficial vein running up lateral forearm; common IV site.

Basilic Vein

Superficial vein on medial/posterior forearm that drains into axillary vein.

Median Cubital Vein

Superficial vein connecting cephalic and basilic veins; common venipuncture site.

Azygos Vein

Unpaired vein draining thoracic wall into superior vena cava.

Visceral Branches (Thoracic Aorta)

Pericardial, bronchial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries supplying thoracic organs.

Parietal Branches (Thoracic Aorta)

Posterior intercostal, subcostal, and superior phrenic arteries supplying thoracic wall and diaphragm.

Celiac Trunk

Unpaired abdominal aorta branch splitting into left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries.

Left Gastric Artery

Supplies stomach and lower esophagus.

Splenic Artery

Supplies the spleen.

Common Hepatic Artery

Gives branches to liver, pancreas, stomach, and gallbladder.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Unpaired vessel supplying small intestine and part of large intestine.

Renal Arteries

Paired arteries delivering blood to the kidneys.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Unpaired artery supplying distal large intestine.

Inferior Phrenic Arteries

Paired arteries supplying inferior diaphragm surface.

Suprarenal (Adrenal) Arteries

Paired vessels supplying adrenal glands.

Lumbar Arteries

Paired arteries supplying posterior abdominal wall and spinal cord.

Gonadal Arteries

Paired arteries (testicular or ovarian) supplying the gonads.

Common Iliac Arteries

Terminal branches of abdominal aorta supplying pelvis and lower limbs.

Internal Iliac Artery

Supplies pelvic organs and walls.

External Iliac Artery

Continues into lower limb as femoral artery.

Femoral Artery

Major artery of thigh; becomes popliteal artery at knee.

Popliteal Artery

Continuation of femoral artery behind knee; splits into tibial and fibular branches.

Anterior Tibial Artery

Supplies anterior compartment of leg and dorsum of foot.

Posterior Tibial Artery

Supplies posterior leg and plantar foot.

Fibular (Peroneal) Artery

Supplies lateral compartment of leg and foot.

Great Saphenous Vein

Longest superficial vein running medial leg; drains into external iliac vein.

Lesser Saphenous Vein

Superficial vein on lateral leg draining into popliteal vein.

Hepatic Portal System

Venous network that carries nutrient-rich blood from digestive organs to liver for processing.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Main vessel of portal system delivering blood to liver.

Hepatic Vein

Drains processed blood from liver into inferior vena cava.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)

Largest vein collecting blood from structures below diaphragm to right atrium.