Review of Arterial and Venous Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering microscopic layer anatomy, arterial pathways, and venous anatomy based on the lecture material.

Tunica Intima

The innermost layer of a blood vessel consisting of smooth endothelium and connective tissue.

Tunica Media

The thickest middle layer of an arterial wall, arranged in a circular pattern, consisting of smooth muscle and connective tissue.

Tunica Externa

Also known as the adventitia, the outer layer of a blood vessel wall arranged in a longitudinal pattern, containing white fibrous connective tissue and a few smooth muscle fibers.

Vasa Vasorum

Small blood vessels meaning "vessel's-vessels" that supply oxygenated blood to the arterial walls and muscle.

Capillaries

The smallest vessels in the human body, consisting only of the intima layer, with a normal capillary filling time of $< 3\,\text{seconds}$.

Aorta

The primary artery arising from the left ventricle of the heart, divided into three areas: the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta.

Innominate Artery

Also called the brachiocephalic artery, the first branch of the aortic arch that gives rise to the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery.

Subclavian Artery

An artery that travels along the clavicle and courses lateral to the 1st rib, with its most significant branch being the vertebral artery.

Internal Thoracic Artery

Formerly known as the internal mammary artery, an arterial branch of the subclavian artery located anteriorly in the thorax.

Axillary Artery

The continuation of the subclavian artery at the lateral border of the first rib, which gives off approximately $7$ branches before becoming the brachial artery.

Brachial Artery

An artery originating from the axillary artery near the level of the elbow that divides into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Radial Artery

An artery originating from the brachial artery that courses down the lateral aspect of the forearm into the hand and terminates in the deep palmar arch.

Ulnar Artery

An artery originating from the brachial artery that travels along the medial aspect of the forearm and terminates at the superficial palmar arch.

Common Iliac Arteries

Terminal branches of the abdominal aorta that bifurcate at the level of the umbilicus ($L3/L4$) and measure approximately $5\,\text{cm}$ in length.

Internal Iliac Arteries

Also known as hypogastric arteries, these vessels measure $3\text{ to }4\,\text{cm}$ in length and descend into the pelvis to supply the pelvic region.

External Iliac Arteries

Arteries traveling along the psoas muscle that become the common femoral artery after passing underneath the inguinal ligament.

Deep Femoral Artery

Also known as the profunda artery, it arises approximately $5\,\text{cm}$ from the inguinal ligament, courses deep into the thigh, and provides collateral flow.

Superficial Femoral Artery

An artery coursing the length of the thigh that passes through an opening in a tendon of the Adductor's canal (Hunter's canal / Adductor's Hiatus) to enter the popliteal fossa.

Popliteal Artery

An artery located in the popliteal fossa that gives rise to the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk.

Anterior Tibial Artery

The 1st branch of the distal popliteal artery that passes superficial to the interosseous membrane and crosses the ankle joint to become the dorsalis pedis artery.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

An artery traveling along the dorsal aspect of the foot toward the 1st toe, giving rise to the deep plantar artery.

Tibioperoneal Trunk

A very short 2nd branch of the popliteal artery that gives rise to the posterior tibial artery and peroneal artery.

Posterior Tibial Artery

An artery traveling posterior and medial down the lower leg that divides into medial and lateral plantar arteries below the medial malleolus.

Peroneal Artery

Also known as the fibular artery, a vessel coursing down the medial side of the fibula to supply the lateral lower leg and calcaneal region.

Plantar Arch

An arterial arch in the foot formed by the union of the deep plantar artery and the lateral plantar artery.

Venous Valves

Bicuspid structures within the intimal layer of veins that keep blood flowing in one direction and prevent retrograde flow.

Soleal Muscle Veins

Also known as soleal sinuses, valveless veins draining the sole of the foot into the posterior tibial or peroneal veins, representing a common source of DVT.

Gastrocnemius Muscle Veins

Two sets of paired veins (medial and lateral) draining the gastrocnemius muscle into the popliteal vein.

Greater Saphenous Vein

The longest vein in the body, extending from the dorsal aspect of the foot to the saphenofemoral junction in the groin.

Lesser Saphenous Vein

Also known as the small saphenous vein, a superficial vessel ascending the back of the lower leg to join the popliteal vein at the sapheno-popliteal junction (SPJ).

Perforating Veins

Small connector veins containing one valve each that direct blood flow from the superficial venous system into the deep venous system.

Basilic Vein

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

Cephalic Vein

A superficial vein on the lateral aspect of the arm that empties into the subclavian vein.

Companion Veins

Also known as Venae Comitantes, these are corresponding veins located in close proximity to an artery of the same name.