CIRCULATION: Arteries, Veins and Their Pathways

Vocabulary flashcards covering arteries, veins, heart anatomy, major vessels, valves, and the circulation system from the provided lecture notes.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart; typically thinner walls, less smooth muscle, often superficial and may be accompanied by arteries.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart; thicker, more elastic walls with a muscular tunica media to regulate flow.

Endothelium

Inner lining of blood vessels composed of smooth, flat endothelial cells.

Lumen

The hollow passage inside a blood vessel through which blood flows.

Tunica intima

Innermost vessel wall layer containing endothelium, subendothelial layer and internal elastic membrane.

Tunica media

Middle vessel layer made of smooth muscle and elastic fibers; controls dilation and constriction.

Tunica externa (adventitia)

Outer layer of connective tissue that anchors and protects the vessel; contains vasa vasorum in larger vessels.

Adventitia

Another term for the tunica externa; the outermost layer of a vessel.

Pericardium

Sac surrounding the heart consisting of fibrous and serous layers; contains pericardial fluid.

Serous pericardium

Inner, lubricating layer of the pericardium; lies closest to the heart and forms the epicardium via the visceral layer.

Fibrous pericardium

Outer fibrous layer of the pericardium that anchors the heart in the mediastinum.

Epicardium

Outer layer of the heart wall; also the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Myocardium

Cardiac muscle tissue; thick middle layer responsible for heart contractions.

Endocardium

Inner lining of the heart chambers; continuous with the endothelium of vessels.

Atria

Receiving chambers of the heart (the upper two chambers).

Ventricles

Pumping chambers of the heart (the lower two chambers).

Tricuspid valve

Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle with three cusps; prevents backflow.

Mitral (bicuspid) valve

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle with two cusps.

Aortic valve

Valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; prevents backflow into the ventricle.

Pulmonary valve

Valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; prevents backflow into the ventricle.

Pulmonary artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.

Pulmonary veins

Carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Aorta

The main systemic artery; distributes oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Arch of the Aorta

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

Brachiocephalic trunk

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

Right subclavian artery

Artery supplying the right upper limb; continues as the axillary artery.

Right common carotid artery

Artery supplying the right side of the head and neck; divides into external and internal carotid arteries.

Left common carotid artery

Artery supplying the left side of the head and neck; divides into external and internal carotid arteries.

Left subclavian artery

Artery supplying the left upper limb; continues as the axillary artery.

External carotid artery

Artery supplying the face and neck; does not enter the skull.

Internal carotid artery

Artery supplying the brain and eyes; often has ophthalmic branch.

Vertebral artery

Branch of the subclavian artery that ascends to supply the brain via the basilar system.

Celiac trunk

Abdominal artery branching from the aorta supplying the stomach, liver, spleen, and related organs.

Superior mesenteric artery

Artery supplying the majority of the small intestine and part of the large intestine.

Inferior mesenteric artery

Artery supplying the distal portion of the large intestine.

Renal arteries

Arteries supplying the kidneys.

Gonadal arteries

Ovarian or testicular arteries supplying the gonads.

Common iliac arteries

Terminal branches of the abdominal aorta that split into internal and external iliac arteries.

External iliac artery

Continues as the femoral artery in the thigh; supplies lower limb structures.

Internal iliac artery

Artery supplying pelvic organs and structures.

Femoral artery

Major artery of the thigh; continuation of the external iliac artery.

Deep femoral artery

Profunda femoris; supplies the thigh muscles.

Popliteal artery

Behind the knee; continuation of the femoral artery, divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

Anterior tibial artery

Supplies the anterior compartment of the leg and becomes the dorsalis pedis artery on the foot.

Posterior tibial artery

Supplies the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar foot; gives rise to the fibular artery.

Fibular (peroneal) artery

Branch of the posterior tibial artery supplying the lateral leg.

Dorsalis pedis artery

Front (dorsal) artery of the foot; continuation of the anterior tibial artery.

Plantar arch

Arterial arch on the plantar aspect of the foot formed by arteries from the dorsalis pedis and plantar vessels.

Capillary

Microscopic vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occur between blood and tissues.

Thoroughfare channel

Direct microvascular channel that connects arterioles to venules within the capillary bed.

Vasa vasorum

Small vessels that supply the walls of larger arteries and veins.

Pulmonary semilunar valve

Valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; prevents backflow into the ventricle.

Aortic semilunar valve

Valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; prevents backflow into the ventricle.

Left coronary artery

One of the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle; branches typically into the left anterior descending and circumflex branches.

Right coronary artery

Coronary artery supplying the right side of the heart; originates from the right aortic sinus.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that supply the heart muscle itself; includes left and right coronary arteries.

Pericardial fluid

Lubricating fluid within the pericardial cavity that reduces friction during heartbeats.

Mediastinal cavity

Central compartment in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus.