Human Anatomy & Physiology II - Topic 3

Artery

blood vessel that conducts blood away from the heart; may be a conducting or distributing vessel

Vein

blood vessel that conducts blood toward the heart

Systemic circuit

blood flow to and from virtually all of the tissues of the body

Pulmonary circuit

blood flows to and from the lungs

Systemic arteries

provide blood rich in oxygen to the body's tissues

Systemic veins

the blood returned to the heart has less oxygen since much of the oxygen carried by the arteries has been delivered to the cells

Pulmonary veins

veins that carry highly oxygenated blood into the left atrium, which pumps the blood into the left ventricle, which in turn pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta and to the many branches of the systemic circuit

Lumen

interior of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel or a portion of the alimentary canal through which blood, chyme, or other substances travel

Nervi vasorum

small nerve fibers found in arteries and veins that trigger contraction of the smooth muscle in their walls

Tunica intima

innermost lining or tunic of a vessel

Tunica media

middle layer or tunic of a vessel (except capillaries)

Tunica externa

outermost layer or tunic of a vessel (except capillaries)

Venous Diseases

refer to a range of medical conditions affecting the veins. These conditions include varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic venous insufficiency. They can disrupt the normal flow of blood in the venous system

Hypertension

chronic and persistent blood pressure measurements of 140/90 mm Hg or above

Parasympathetic Stimulation

this system is a division of the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for promoting relaxation and restorative functions in the body, such as slowing the heart rate and increasing digestion

Elastic artery

artery with abundant elastic fibers located closer to the heart, which maintains the pressure gradient and conducts blood to smaller branches

Muscular artery

artery with abundant smooth muscle in the tunica media that branches to distribute blood to the arteriole network

Arteriole

very small artery that leads to a capillary

Vasoconstriction

constriction of the smooth muscle of a blood vessel, resulting in a decreased vascular diameter

Vasodilation

relaxation of the smooth muscle in the wall of a blood vessel, resulting in an increased vascular diameter

Stroke Volume

the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each contraction (heartbeat).

Perfusion

distribution of blood into the capillaries so the tissues can be supplied

Microcirculation

blood flow through the capillaries

Continuous capillary

most common type of capillary, found in virtually all tissues except epithelia and cartilage; contains very small gaps in the endothelial lining that permit exchange

Fenestrated capillary

type of capillary with pores or fenestrations in the endothelium that allow for rapid passage of certain small materials

Sinusoid capillary

rarest type of capillary, which has extremely large intercellular gaps in the basement membrane in addition to clefts and fenestrations; found in areas such as the bone marrow and liver where passage of large molecules occurs

Metarteriole

short vessel arising from a terminal arteriole that branches to supply a capillary bed

Capillary bed

network of 10-100 capillaries connecting arterioles to venules

Precapillary sphincters

circular rings of smooth muscle that surround the entrance to a capillary and regulate blood flow into that capillary

Vascular shunt

continuation of the metarteriole and thoroughfare channel that allows blood to bypass the capillary beds to flow directly from the arterial to the venous circulation

Vasomotion

irregular, pulsating flow of blood through capillaries and related structures

Endocytosis

a cellular process in which cells engulf external substances or particles by wrapping their cell membrane around the external substances or particles, forming a vesicle, and bringing the material into the cell

Exocytosis

a cellular process where cells expel or release substances from their interior by fusing membrane-bound vesicles with the cell membrane, allowing the contents to be released into the extracellular space

Capillary

smallest of blood vessels where physical exchange occurs between the blood and tissue cells surrounded by interstitial fluid

Venules

small vessel leading from the capillaries to veins

Veins

blood vessel that conducts blood toward the heart

Capacitance vessels

are blood vessels with a high compliance that can temporarily store a significant amount of blood, helping regulate blood flow and maintain overall cardiovascular function

Diapedesis

the process where white blood cells adhere to the endothelial lining of blood vessels, such as venules, and then squeeze through adjacent cells to enter the tissue fluid, aiding in immune responses

Renal failure

known as kidney failure, is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to adequately filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, leading to a buildup of toxins and electrolyte imbalances in the body

Alveoli

(Of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland

Pulmonary trunk

single large vessel exiting the right ventricle that divides to form the right and left pulmonary arteries

Pulmonary arteries

left and right vessels that form from the pulmonary trunk and lead to smaller arterioles and eventually to the pulmonary capillaries

Superior and Inferior Venae Cavae

the largest veins in the human body, responsible for returning deoxygenated blood from the upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts of the body respectively, to the right atrium of the heart

Ventricular Diastole

refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the ventricles of the heart are relaxed and filled with blood

Ventricular systole

where the ventricles contract to pump blood

Coronary Sinus

a collection of veins that drain the blood supply of the heart muscle (coronary circulation) into the right atrium. It plays a crucial role in returning deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle

Aorta

largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle and descending to the abdominal region where it bifurcates into the common iliac arteries at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra

Ascending aorta

initial portion of the aorta, rising from the left ventricle for a distance of approximately 5 cm

Aortic arch

arc that connects the ascending aorta to the descending aorta; ends at the intervertebral disk between the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae

Descending aorta

portion of the aorta that continues downward past the end of the aortic arch; subdivided into the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta

Aortic hiatus

opening in the diaphragm that allows passage of the thoracic aorta into the abdominal region where it becomes the abdominal aorta

Brachiocephalic artery

located only on the right side of the body; there is no corresponding artery on the left; branches into the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery

Subclavian artery

supplies blood to the arms, chest, shoulders, back, and central nervous system

Internal thoracic artery

arises from the subclavian artery; supplies blood to the thymus, pericardium of the heart, and the anterior chest wall

Vertebral artery

arises from the subclavian artery and passes through the vertebral foramen through the foramen magnum to the brain; joins with the internal carotid artery to form the arterial circle; supplies blood to the brain and spinal cord

Thyrocervical artery

arises from the subclavian artery; supplies blood to the thyroid, the cervical region, the upper back, and shoulder

Common carotid artery

right common carotid artery arises from the brachiocephalic artery, and the left common carotid arises from the aortic arch; gives rise to the external and internal carotid arteries; supplies the respective sides of the head and neck

External carotid artery

arises from the common carotid artery; supplies blood to numerous structures within the face, lower jaw, neck, esophagus, and larynx

Internal carotid artery

arises from the common carotid artery and begins with the carotid sinus; goes through the carotid canal of the temporal bone to the base of the brain; combines with branches of the vertebral artery forming the arterial circle; supplies blood to the brain

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

temporary loss of neurological function caused by a brief interruption in blood flow; also known as a mini-stroke

Anterior cerebral artery

arises from the internal carotid artery; supplies the frontal lobe of the cerebrum

Middle cerebral artery

another branch of the internal carotid artery; supplies blood to the temporal and parietal lobes of the cerebrum

Ophthalmic artery

branch of the internal carotid artery; supplies blood to the eyes

Arterial Circle

an anastomosis located at the base of the brain that ensures continual blood supply; formed from the branches of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries; supplies blood to the brain

Lumbar Vertebra

large vertebra in the lower back that supports the body's weight and enables movement

Sternal Angle

palpable landmark where the manubrium meets the sternum body

Intervertebral Disk

fibrocartilaginous joint located between adjacent vertebrae in the spine

Foramen Magnum

large, oval-shaped opening in the occipital bone of the skull, through which the spinal cord passes to join the brain

Medulla Oblongata

lower brain stem part that controls vital functions like heart rate and breathing

Anastomosis

surgical or natural connection between two tubular structures or channels in the body, such as blood vessels or sections of the intestine

Visceral branches

branches of the descending aorta that supply blood to the viscera

Bronchial artery

systemic branch from the aorta that provides oxygenated blood to the lungs in addition to the pulmonary circuit

Pericardial artery

branch of the thoracic aorta; supplies blood to the pericardium

Esophageal artery

branch of the thoracic aorta; supplies blood to the esophagus

Mediastinal artery

branch of the thoracic aorta; supplies blood to the mediastinum

Parietal branches

group of arterial branches of the thoracic aorta; includes those that supply blood to the thoracic cavity, vertebral column, and the superior surface of the diaphragm

Intercostal artery

branch of the thoracic aorta; supplies blood to the muscles of the thoracic cavity and vertebral column

Superior phrenic artery

branch of the thoracic aorta; supplies blood to the superior surface of the diaphragm

Mediastinum

central area in the thoracic cavity, housing the heart, major vessels, and other structures

Visceral Pleura

thin serous membrane that covers the lungs and enters into and lines the interlobar fissures

Anastomoses

connections between two structures, often blood vessels, that usually diverge or branch

Superior mesenteric artery

branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), the pancreas, and a majority of the large intestine

Inferior mesenteric artery

branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the distal segment of the large intestine and rectum

Inferior phrenic artery

branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the inferior surface of the diaphragm

Adrenal artery

branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the adrenal (suprarenal) glands

Renal artery

branch of the abdominal aorta supplies each kidney

Gonadal artery

branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the gonads or reproductive organs; also described as ovarian arteries or testicular arteries, depending upon the sex of the individual

Retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum, where certain organs such as the kidneys and parts of the digestive system are situated, with only their anterior surfaces covered by the peritoneum

Lumbar arteries

branches of the abdominal aorta; supply blood to the lumbar region, the abdominal wall, and spinal cord

Common iliac artery

branch of the aorta that leads to the internal and external iliac arteries

Aortic Hiatus

opening in the diaphragm that allows passage of the thoracic aorta into the abdominal region where it becomes the abdominal aorta

Spermatic Cord

bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens

Lumbar-Sacral Articulation

refers to the junction between the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum in the spine, representing the connection point between the lower back and the pelvic region

Axillary Artery

continuation of the subclavian artery as it penetrates the body wall and enters the axillary region; supplies blood to the region near the head of the humerus (humeral circumflex arteries)

Brachial artery

continuation of the axillary artery in the brachium; supplies blood to much of the brachial region; gives off several smaller branches that provide blood to the posterior surface of the arm in the region of the elbow; bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries at the coronoid fossa

Ulnar artery

formed at the bifurcation of the brachial artery; parallels the ulna; gives off smaller branches until it reaches the carpal region where it fuses with the radial artery to form the superficial and deep palmar arches; supplies blood to the lower arm and carpal region

"All Brave Radiologists Understand Palms and Digits."

Axillary artery, Brachial artery, Radial artery, Ulnar artery, Palmar arches, Digital arteries

Femoral artery

continuation of the external iliac artery after it passes through the body cavity; divides into several smaller branches, the lateral deep femoral artery, and the genicular artery; becomes the popliteal artery as it passes posterior to the knee

Popliteal artery

continuation of the femoral artery posterior to the knee; branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries

Anterior tibial artery

branches from the popliteal artery; supplies blood to the anterior tibial region; becomes the dorsalis pedis artery