blood lab

superior vena cava

large blue vessel that enters the top of the right atrium. formed by converging right and left brachiocephalic veins

brachiocephalic veins

veins that receive blood from the head, neck (jugular veins), and upper extremities (subclavian veins) merge to form the superior vena cava.

radial and ulnar veins

converge with brachial veins to form the axillary vein. which leads into subclavian veins

Aortic Arch

Aortic arch is the curved portion of the aorta that connects the ascending aorta to the descending aorta, giving rise to major arteries that supply blood to the head, neck, and arms. It has 3 major vessels branching off the top of it.

Brachiocephalic trunk

1st artery coming off the aortic arch. It splits to form the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries

Common carotid artery

splits into external carotid artery, supplying blood to superficial structures of head and neck.

Internal carotid artery

Forms the cerebral blood vessels which supply oxygenated blood to the brain.

Left common carotid and left subclavian artery

come off aortic arch as individual vessels that supply blood to the left side of the head, neck, and upper limb. (same as brachiocephalic trunk)

pulmonary arteries

carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

pulmonary veins

carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

superior mesenteric artery

inferior to the celiac trunk. supplies blood to the small intestine, ascending and transverse colon of the large intestine.

digested nutrients from these areas enter the superior mesenteric vein before it drains into hepatic portal circulation.

Renal artery

branch off abdominal aorta supplying blood to the kidneys w/ oxygenated blood to be filtered of metabolic waste and regulating electrolyte and fluid concentrations.

It returns deoxygenated blood to the renal veins.

Renal Vein

once kidneys have filtered the blood, these veins will meet with the inferior vena cava to drain deoxygenated blood.

Inferior vena cava

large vein located on inferior portion of the right atrium of the heart that carries deoxygenated blood from below the diaphragm to the heart. It receives blood from the renal veins, among others.

Inferior mesenteric artery

lowest branch off the abdominal aorta that supplies the organs of the abdominal cavity. It supplies blood to decending, sigmoid colon, and rectum. Nutrients absorbed in these areas are taken to the hepatic portal circulation by the infeior mesenteric vein