Major Arteries of the Body

This flashcard set covers the systemic and pulmonary arterial circuits, major branches of the aorta, and the specific arterial anatomy of the head, neck, and limbs based on the lecture transcript.

Pulmonary Circuit

The path of blood exiting the right ventricle into the pulmonary trunk, bifurcating into pulmonary arteries to reach lung alveoli for gas exchange, and returning via pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

Aorta Regions

The distinct parts of the primary systemic artery, including the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending aorta (thoracic and abdominal regions).

Brachiocephalic Trunk

A major branch of the aorta that divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.

Vertebral Artery

An artery that branches from the subclavian artery, passes through the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebrae, and enters the base of the skull.

Common Carotid Artery

An artery that gives rise to the external carotid artery (superficial) and the internal carotid artery (enters the skull).

Basilar Artery

The artery formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries in the head and neck region.

Circle of Willis

An arterial circle at the base of the brain formed by the two common carotid arteries (via internal carotids) and the basilar artery.

Axillary Artery

The continuation of the subclavian artery as it move towards the arm.

Brachial Artery

An artery of the upper limb where blood pressure is routinely measured.

Celiac Trunk

A major branch of the abdominal aorta that divides into the hepatic artery, gastric artery, and splenic artery.

Lower Limb Arterial Sequence (Proximal to Distal)

Iliac artery, femoral artery, popliteal artery, tibial artery, and plantar artery.

Main Arteries to the Head

Consists of two carotid arteries and two vertebral arteries.

Common Iliac Artery

The terminal branches of the abdominal aorta that divide into internal and external iliac arteries.

Popliteal Artery

An artery located behind the knee that is a continuation of the femoral artery.

Internal Jugular Vein

A major vein that drains blood from the brain, face, and neck, returning it to the superior vena cava.

Superior Vena Cava

A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart's right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava

A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart's right atrium.

Renal Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the kidneys, branching from the abdominal aorta.

Renal Vein

A vein that drains blood from the kidneys, returning it to the inferior vena cava.

Common Iliac Vein

Veins that collect blood from the lower limbs and pelvis, forming the inferior vena cava.

Femoral Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the thigh and lower limb, and is a continuation of the external iliac artery.

External Subclavian Artery

An artery that branches from the subclavian artery to supply blood to the upper limb.

Subclavian Vein

A vein that carries blood from the upper extremities back to the brachiocephalic vein.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory system.

Femoral Vein

The major vein that collects blood from the thigh and leg and drains into the external iliac vein.

Great Saphenous Vein

The longest vein in the body, running along the length of the leg and draining into the femoral vein.

Ascending Aorta

The portion of the aorta that rises from the heart, supplying blood to the body.

Right Pulmonary Arteries

Arteries that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the right lung.

Right Pulmonary Veins

Veins that return oxygenated blood from the right lung to the left atrium of the heart.

Descending Aorta

The portion of the aorta that descends through the thorax and into the abdomen.

Descending Thoracic Aorta

The part of the descending aorta that travels through the thoracic cavity.

Abdominal Aorta

The portion of the aorta that runs through the abdomen, supplying blood to the abdominal organs.

Right Common Carotid Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the right side of the head and neck.

Left Common Carotid Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the left side of the head and neck.

Right Subclavian Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the right arm and branches off the brachiocephalic trunk.

Left Subclavian Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the left arm, branching from the aortic arch.

Brachiocephalic Artery

An artery that divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.

Aortic Arch

The curved portion of the aorta from which major arteries branch to supply the head, neck, and arms.

Right Coronary Artery

An artery supplying blood to the right side of the heart.

Left Coronary Artery

An artery supplying blood to the left side of the heart.

External Carotid Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the face and neck, branching from the common carotid artery.

Internal Carotid Artery

An artery supplying blood to the brain, branching from the common carotid artery.

Occipital Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the posterior scalp.

Carotid Sinus Artery

A dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery that contains baroreceptors.

Superficial Temporal Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the scalp over the temporal region.

Maxillary Artery

An artery that supplies deep facial structures, branches from the external carotid artery.

Facial Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the face, branching from the external carotid artery.

Lingual Artery

An artery supplying blood to the tongue, branching from the external carotid artery.

Middle Cerebral Artery

An artery that supplies blood to much of the lateral surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Humeral Circumflex Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the shoulder and upper arm.

Deep Brachial Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the muscles of the arm, running alongside the humerus.

Ulnar Collateral Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the elbow and branches from the brachial artery.

Radial Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the lateral side of the forearm and hand, commonly used for pulse measurement.

Anterior Crural Interosseous Artery

An artery that supplies the deep structures of the anterior compartment of the leg.

Ulnar Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the medial side of the forearm and hand.

Deep Palmar Arch Artery

An arterial structure in the palm formed mainly by the radial artery.

Superficial Palmar Arch Artery

An arterial structure in the palm formed mainly by the ulnar artery.

Digital Artery

Arteries that supply blood to the fingers.

Cross Section

A cut through a structure to reveal its internal contents.

Hepatic Artery

An artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver.

Gastric Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the stomach.

Splenic Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the spleen.

Left Renal Artery

The artery that supplies blood to the left kidney, branching from the abdominal aorta.

Right Renal Artery

The artery that supplies blood to the right kidney, branching from the abdominal aorta.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the lower part of the colon and rectum.

Paired Visceral Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to paired organs, such as kidneys.

Unpaired Visceral Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to unpaired organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract.

Parietal Arteries

Arteries supplying blood to the body wall.

Inferior Phrenic Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the diaphragm.

Middle Suprarenal Artery

An artery supplying blood to the adrenal glands.

Superior Phrenic Artery

An artery that provides blood to the superior diaphragm.

Lumbar Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the lower back region.

Gonadal Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the ovaries or testes.

Median Sacral Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the sacrum and coccyx.

External Iliac Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the lower limbs, continuing as the femoral artery after passing under the inguinal ligament.

Inguinal Ligament

A fibrous band that extends from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle, defining the border between the abdomen and the thigh.

Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery

An artery that branches from the profunda femoris artery to supply the greater trochanter and surrounding muscles.

Lateral Sacral Artery

Arteries that branch from the internal iliac artery, supplying the sacral region and the spinal meninges.

Internal Pudendal Artery

An artery that branches from the internal iliac artery, supplying blood to the pelvic structures and external genitalia.

Obturator Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the medial compartment of the thigh, branching from the internal iliac artery.

Genicular Arteries

Arteries that provide blood supply to the knee joint, branching from the popliteal artery.

Anterior Tibial Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the anterior compartment of the leg, continuing as the dorsalis pedis artery.

Posterior Tibial Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar foot.

Fibular Artery

An artery that branches from the posterior tibial artery, supplying the lateral compartment of the leg.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

An artery that continues from the anterior tibial artery, supplying blood to the dorsum of the foot.

Dorsal Arch

An arterial network on the dorsum of the foot formed primarily by the dorsalis pedis artery and branches.

Peroneal Artery

Another name for the fibular artery, which supplies blood to the lateral compartment of the leg and ankle.

Lateral Plantar Artery

An artery contributing to the blood supply of the plantar aspect of the foot, branching from the posterior tibial artery.

Medial Plantar Artery

An artery supplying the medial side of the foot, also branching from the posterior tibial artery.

Plantar Arch Artery

An arterial structure formed by the lateral and medial plantar arteries that supplies blood to the plantar surface of the foot.