Arterial System – Dr. Amardev Singh (Video Lecture)

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering definitions, vessel anatomy, major branches, pulse points, anastomoses, and end arteries from Dr. Amardev Singh’s lecture on the Arterial System.

What is the basic pathway of blood flow through the circulatory system?

Heart → arteries → arterioles → capillaries → venules → veins → heart.

Which three tunics make up the wall of most blood vessels?

Tunica intima (interna), tunica media, and tunica externa (adventitia).

Which vessel type carries blood away from the heart?

Arteries.

Which vessel type carries blood toward the heart?

Veins.

Which blood vessels allow exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes?

Capillaries.

How thick are capillary walls?

Only one cell layer (endothelium) thick.

Compared with veins, do arteries have thicker or thinner tunica media?

Thicker tunica media.

Do arteries normally contain valves?

No, arteries do not have valves.

Which arteries carry deoxygenated blood?

Pulmonary arteries and umbilical arteries.

Name the largest artery in the body.

The aorta.

Into how many parts is the aorta divided?

Four parts: ascending aorta, arch of aorta, descending thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta.

Which arteries arise from the ascending aorta?

Right and left coronary arteries.

List the three branches of the aortic arch from right to left.

Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery.

From which vessels do the right and left common carotid arteries originate?

Right common carotid from brachiocephalic trunk; left common carotid directly from the aortic arch.

Into what two terminal branches does the common carotid artery divide?

Internal carotid artery and external carotid artery.

Which artery supplies the scalp, face, tongue, and maxilla via its branches?

External carotid artery.

Does the internal carotid artery give branches in the neck?

No; it has no cervical branches.

What structures are primarily supplied by the internal carotid artery?

Brain, eye, nose, and part of the scalp.

From which vessels do the right and left subclavian arteries arise?

Right subclavian from brachiocephalic trunk; left subclavian from aortic arch.

Name two important branches of the subclavian artery.

Vertebral artery and internal thoracic (mammary) artery.

At which anatomical landmark does the subclavian artery become the axillary artery?

Lateral border of the first rib.

Sequence the major arteries of the upper limb from proximal to distal.

Axillary → brachial → radial & ulnar → superficial and deep palmar arches.

At which location does the brachial artery divide into radial and ulnar arteries?

At the neck (level) of the radius in the cubital fossa.

Which artery forms the larger terminal branch at the elbow: radial or ulnar?

Ulnar artery.

Which descending aorta segment gives off pericardial, esophageal, bronchial, and posterior intercostal branches?

Descending thoracic aorta.

At what vertebral level does the aorta pass through the diaphragm to become the abdominal aorta?

T12.

At which vertebral level does the abdominal aorta bifurcate into common iliac arteries?

L4.

Name the three unpaired (single) branches of the abdominal aorta.

Celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery.

List the three primary branches of the celiac trunk and one organ supplied by each.

Left gastric (stomach), hepatic (liver & pancreas), splenic (spleen).

Which part of the gastrointestinal tract is supplied by the superior mesenteric artery?

Pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, and right 2/3 of transverse colon.

Which arteries supply the left 1/3 of transverse colon, descending colon, and rectum?

Branches of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Give four paired branches of the abdominal aorta.

Gonadal (testicular/ovarian), renal, suprarenal, and common iliac arteries.

Into which two arteries does the common iliac artery divide?

External iliac artery and internal iliac artery.

Which iliac branch primarily supplies the pelvis, perineum, and pelvic organs?

Internal iliac artery.

Which artery becomes the femoral artery after passing deep to the inguinal ligament?

External iliac artery.

Sequence the main arteries of the lower limb from proximal to distal.

Femoral → popliteal → anterior tibial & posterior tibial → dorsalis pedis (from anterior tibial) and medial & lateral plantar (from posterior tibial).

Which artery continues onto the dorsum of the foot as the dorsalis pedis artery?

Anterior tibial artery.

Which artery terminates as medial and lateral plantar arteries in the sole?

Posterior tibial artery.

Identify the arterial pulse point located in front of the ear.

Superficial temporal artery.

Which artery is palpated at the lower border of the mandible?

Facial artery.

Where is the carotid pulse commonly felt?

At the upper border of the thyroid cartilage along the common carotid artery.

Which artery is palpated in front of the distal radius?

Radial artery.

The femoral pulse is best felt at which landmark?

Mid-inguinal point (halfway between anterior superior iliac spine and pubic symphysis).

Which pulse point is located between the first and second metatarsals on the dorsum of the foot?

Dorsalis pedis pulse.

Define arterial anastomosis.

The joining of branches of arteries supplying adjacent areas to provide collateral circulation.

State the primary functional benefit of arterial anastomoses.

They provide alternative routes for blood flow if one artery becomes blocked.

Name two major arterial anastomoses in the upper limb.

Scapular anastomosis (subclavian & axillary branches) and around the elbow (brachial, radial, ulnar branches).

Name two arterial anastomoses in the lower limb.

Trochanteric and cruciate anastomoses (between internal iliac and femoral branches).

What is an anatomic (true) end artery?

An artery whose terminal branches do not anastomose with adjacent arteries (e.g., central artery of the retina).

What is a functional end artery?

An artery that has anatomical anastomoses that are insufficient to maintain adequate blood flow if it is occluded (e.g., splenic artery, renal artery).

Why does occlusion of an end artery cause significant tissue damage?

Because no effective collateral circulation exists, leading to complete loss of blood supply to the tissue.

Which of the following is a functional end artery: splenic, brachial, central retinal, or superior mesenteric?

Splenic artery (functional end artery).

Which of the following is a branch of the external carotid artery: basilar, vertebral, maxillary, or internal thoracic?

Maxillary artery (branch of external carotid).

Which artery can be palpated opposite the lower border of the mandible?

Facial artery.

Which large vessel is classified histologically as an elastic artery?

The aorta (also the pulmonary trunk).

Do large veins have thicker tunica adventitia or tunica media?

Thicker tunica adventitia.

What microscopic vessels connect arterioles to venules?

Capillaries.

Name two arteries that form the superficial and deep palmar arches.

Ulnar artery and radial artery.

Which branch of the external carotid artery primarily supplies the scalp?

Superficial temporal artery.

Which artery travels through the transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae to supply the brainstem and posterior brain?

Vertebral artery.

Which paired abdominal aortic branches supply the kidneys?

Renal arteries.

Which arterial pulse point lies behind the medial malleolus?

Posterior tibial pulse.

Which artery is the direct continuation of the femoral artery after it passes through the adductor hiatus?

Popliteal artery.

Which branch of the celiac trunk supplies the spleen?

Splenic artery.

What is the principal arterial source to the uterus, vagina, and pelvic walls?

Internal iliac artery.