Anatomy: Systemic Circulatory System and Major Blood Vessels

Vocabulary review flashcards defining the major arteries, veins, and associated visceral structures of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and limbs.

Ascending aorta

The initial ascending segment of the systemic arterial trunk originating directly from the heart and leading into the aortic arch.

Aortic arch

The curved portion of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta that gives rise to the brachiocephalic trunk and head/upper limb arteries.

Descending aorta

The major arterial trunk that runs inferiorly past the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity, supplying systemic organs, the pelvis, and the hindlimbs.

Coronary arteries

The arterial vessels branching at the base of the aorta that supply oxygenated blood directly to the muscular tissues of the heart.

Pulmonary trunk artery

The major vessel arising from the heart that branches to carry blood toward the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

The veins that return oxygenated blood from the lungs directly into the left side of the heart.

Brachiocephalic trunk artery

The arterial branch emerging from the aortic arch that supplies blood to the subclavian and common carotid pathways.

Common carotid arteries

The paired arteries (right common carotid artery and left common carotid artery) that ascend through the neck to supply blood to the head.

Subclavian arteries

Paired arterial branches (right subclavian artery and left subclavian artery) that deliver blood to the upper limbs, branching into the axillary and subscapular arteries.

Axillary arteries

Vessels (right axillary artery and left axillary artery) continuing from the subclavian arteries through the axillary region toward the brachial arteries.

Brachial arteries

Arteries of the upper limb (right brachial artery and left brachial artery) that continue distally from the axillary arteries to supply the forelimb.

Subscapular arteries

Arterial branches (right subscapular artery and left subscapular artery) supplying the shoulder and scapular regions.

Superior vena cava

The large systemic vein formed by the confluence of the brachiocephalic veins that returns deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs to the heart.

Inferior vena cava

The large systemic vein running through the abdomen that collects deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities, pelvis, and renal veins to return it to the heart.

Brachiocephalic veins

Paired systemic veins (right brachiocephalic vein and left brachiocephalic vein) formed by the junction of the jugular and subclavian veins, uniting to form the superior vena cava.

External jugular veins

Paired superficial veins of the neck (right external jugular vein and left external jugular vein) that drain blood from the head into the systemic venous system.

Internal jugular vein

A vein of the neck that drains deoxygenated blood from the cranial cavity and brain.

Subclavian veins

Paired veins (right subclavian vein and left subclavian vein) that drain blood from the axillary veins into the brachiocephalic veins.

Axillary veins

Paired deep veins (right axillary vein and left axillary vein) in the axillary region receiving blood from the brachial and subscapular veins.

Brachial veins

Veins of the upper limb (right brachial vein and left brachial vein) that run along the arm and drain into the axillary veins.

Subscapular veins

Veins (right subscapular vein and left subscapular vein) draining blood from the shoulder and scapular region into the axillary and subclavian venous pathways.

Left azygous vein

A vein in the thorax (labeled as left az gous vein) that returns deoxygenated blood from the thoracic wall into the systemic venous circulation.

Celiac trunk artery

An unpaired visceral branch originating from the descending aorta inferior to the diaphragm (labeled as celinc trunk artery) that supplies upper abdominal organs.

Superior mesenteric artery

An unpaired branch off the descending aorta located below the celiac trunk that supplies blood to the small intestine and abdominal viscera.

Inferior mesenteric artery

An unpaired anterior arterial branch arising from the lower descending aorta that supplies blood to the large intestine.

Renal arteries

Paired lateral branches (right renal artery and left renal artery) stemming directly from the descending aorta to supply each kidney.

Renal veins

Paired lateral veins (right renal vein and left renal vein) that drain filtered deoxygenated blood from each kidney into the inferior vena cava.

Suprarenal glands (adrenals)

Endocrine glands located directly superior to the kidneys.

Hepatic portal (anastomosis)

The venous vascular system connecting visceral digestive organs, including the intestines and spleen, to transport blood to the liver.

Gastrosplenic vein

A tributary vein draining blood from the stomach and spleen into the hepatic portal venous system.

Superior mesenteric vein

A major mesenteric vein draining nutrient-rich venous blood from the small intestine toward the hepatic portal system.

Inferior mesenteric vein

A vein collecting deoxygenated blood from the large intestine and delivering it toward the portal venous circulation.

Common iliac veins

Paired pelvic veins (right common iliac vein and left common iliac vein) that converge to form the inferior vena cava.

External iliac arteries

Paired arterial branches (right external iliac artery and left external iliac artery) originating from the lower descending aorta that continue into the femoral arteries.

Internal iliac arteries

Paired arterial branches (right internal iliac artery and left internal iliac artery) branching from the lower aorta to supply pelvic viscera.

External iliac veins

Paired veins (right external iliac vein and left external iliac vein) carrying blood from the femoral veins toward the common iliac veins.

Internal iliac veins

Paired veins (right internal iliac vein and left internal iliac vein) draining blood from pelvic viscera into the common iliac veins.

Femoral arteries

The principal arteries of the thigh (right femoral artery and left femoral artery) that continue from the external iliac arteries to supply the hindlimb.

Femoral veins

The major deep veins of the thigh (right femoral vein and left femoral vein) that drain upward into the external iliac veins.

Proximal caudofemoral arteries

Arterial branches (right proximal caudofemoral artery and left proximal caudofemoral artery) arising from the femoral arteries to supply caudal thigh musculature.

Proximal caudofemoral veins

Veins (right proximal caudofemoral vein and left proximal caudofemoral vein) draining the caudal thigh region into the femoral veins.

Popliteal arteries

Arterial continuations (right popliteal artery and left popliteal artery) branching from the femoral system behind the knee joint to supply the lower leg.

Popliteal veins

Deep veins posterior to the knee (right popliteal vein and left popliteal vein) that convey blood superiorly into the femoral veins.

Saphenous arteries

Arteries (right saphenous artery and left saphenous artery) branching from the femoral arterial system to supply the medial hindlimb.

Great saphenous veins

Major superficial veins of the hindlimb (right great saphenous vein and left great saphenous vein) that drain blood proximally into the femoral venous system.