Anatomy and Histology of Blood Vessels

Vocabulary flashcards identifying major systemic blood vessels, anatomical models, and histology slides.

Right Common Carotid Artery

A major artery supplying oxygenated blood to the right side of the head and neck, branching from the brachiocephalic trunk.

Right Jugular Vein

A major vein draining deoxygenated blood from the right side of the head and neck into the right brachiocephalic vein.

Right Subclavian Vein

A major deep vein that drains deoxygenated blood from the right upper limb and joins the right internal jugular vein to form the right brachiocephalic vein.

Right Subclavian Artery

A large artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk that supplies oxygenated blood to the right upper limb and parts of the thorax and neck.

Left Subclavian Artery

The third major branch of the aortic arch, supplying oxygenated blood to the left upper extremity.

Left Common Carotid Artery

The second direct branch off the aortic arch, supplying oxygenated blood to the left side of the head and neck.

Brachiocephalic Trunk

The first major branch arising from the aortic arch that divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.

Descending Thoracic Aorta

The continuation of the aortic arch running down through the thoracic cavity above the diaphragm.

Superior Vena Cava

A large vein formed by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins, returning deoxygenated blood from the upper body into the right atrium.

Left Brachiocephalic Vein

A vessel formed by the union of the left internal jugular and left subclavian veins, merging with its right counterpart to form the superior vena cava.

Left Jugular Vein

A key vein in the neck that collects deoxygenated blood from the left side of the head and brain, draining into the left brachiocephalic vein.

Left Subclavian Vein

A major vein that receives deoxygenated blood from the left upper extremity and joins the left internal jugular vein.

Gastric Artery

An arterial vessel branching off the celiac trunk that supplies oxygenated blood to the stomach.

Artery (Histology)

A blood vessel distinguished in histological cross-section by a round shape and a thick, well-defined muscular layer in its tunica media.

Vein (Histology)

A blood vessel distinguished in histological cross-section by a relatively thin wall and a large, often irregular or collapsed lumen.

Celiac Trunk

The first major unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta below the diaphragm, branching into arteries supplying the stomach, liver, and spleen.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

An unpaired artery originating from the abdominal aorta below the celiac trunk that supplies the small intestine and part of the large intestine.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

An unpaired branch of the lower abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the distal portion of the large intestine and rectum.

Descending Abdominal Aorta

The portion of the aorta lying below the diaphragm within the abdominal cavity, giving rise to visceral and parietal branches.

Right Renal Artery

A paired lateral branch of the abdominal aorta that carries oxygenated blood directly to the right kidney.

Left Renal Artery

A paired lateral branch of the abdominal aorta that carries oxygenated blood directly to the left kidney.

Splenic Artery

A major branch of the celiac trunk that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen, pancreas, and stomach.

Right Gonadal Artery

A paired branch arising from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta to supply the right ovary or testis.

Left Gonadal Artery

A paired branch arising from the abdominal aorta that carries blood to the left ovary or testis.

Right Common Iliac Artery

One of the two terminal branches of the abdominal aorta supplying blood to the right pelvic region and right lower limb.

Left Common Iliac Artery

One of the two terminal branches of the abdominal aorta supplying blood to the left pelvic region and left lower limb.

Left Internal Iliac Artery

A branch of the left common iliac artery that supplies blood to the left pelvic organs, gluteal region, and inner thigh.

Left External Iliac Artery

A branch of the left common iliac artery that passes under the inguinal ligament to become the left femoral artery.

Inferior Vena Cava

The large vein that collects deoxygenated blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs and delivers it to the right atrium.

Right Renal Vein

A short vein that drains deoxygenated blood from the right kidney directly into the inferior vena cava.

Left Renal Vein

A vein that crosses anteriorly over the abdominal aorta to drain blood from the left kidney into the inferior vena cava.

Left Suprarenal Vein

A vein that drains the left adrenal gland, emptying into the left renal vein rather than directly into the inferior vena cava.

Left Gonadal Vein

A vein draining the left ovary or testis that empties into the left renal vein at a right angle.

Right Gonadal Vein

A vein draining the right ovary or testis that empties directly into the anterior wall of the inferior vena cava.

Hepatic Portal Vein

A vessel formed by the union of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins that carries nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver.

Hepatic Artery

A branch of the celiac trunk that delivers oxygenated blood to the liver tissue.

Hepatic Vein

A vein that drains deoxygenated blood processed by the liver directly into the inferior vena cava.

Right Cephalic Vein

A superficial vein on the lateral side of the right upper limb that drains into the axillary vein.

Right Basilic Vein

A superficial vein on the medial aspect of the right arm and forearm that joins the brachial veins to form the axillary vein.

Right Median Cubital Vein

A superficial vein located in the anterior cubital fossa of the right arm that connects the cephalic and basilic veins.

Right Axillary Artery

The continuation of the right subclavian artery through the axillary region, supplying blood to the shoulder and lateral chest wall.

Right Brachial Artery

The main artery of the right upper arm, extending from the axillary artery and dividing at the elbow into radial and ulnar arteries.

Right Radial Artery

A branch of the brachial artery running along the lateral (thumb) side of the right forearm.

Right Ulnar Artery

A branch of the brachial artery running along the medial (pinky) side of the right forearm.

Right Femoral Artery

The primary artery supplying blood to the right thigh and lower extremity, continuing from the external iliac artery.

Right Femoral Vein

A deep vein of the right thigh that accompanies the femoral artery and continues as the right external iliac vein.

Right Popliteal Artery

The continuation of the femoral artery located in the popliteal fossa behind the right knee joint.

Right Anterior Tibial Artery

A branch of the popliteal artery that passes forward to supply the anterior compartment of the right lower leg.

Right Great Saphenous Vein

The longest superficial vein in the body, running along the medial side of the right leg and thigh to drain into the femoral vein.

Right Small Saphenous Vein

A superficial vein running up the posterior aspect of the right leg to drain into the popliteal vein behind the knee.

Ascending Aorta

The initial segment of the aorta arising directly from the left ventricle of the heart, giving off the coronary arteries.

Aortic Arch

The curved portion of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta that gives rise to the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.