PMCY 4050 - Major Arteries

external jugular vein

drains blood from superficial areas of head and neck

internal jugular vein

drains blood from brain, neck, and deep facial structures

subclavian vein

drains blood from upper arms and chest

brachiocephalic vein

union of subclavian and internal jugular; converges to form superior vena cava

axillary vein

drains upper arm and armpit

cephalic vein

superficial upper arm; common site for venipuncture

brachial vein

drains deep upper arm; blood flow from elbow upwardb

basilic vein

superficial vein on medial side or arm, drains hand; commonly used for IV insertionsh

hepatic vein

deoxygenated blood from liver to vena cava; carries blood from GI tract to liver

median cubital vein

located in antecubital fossa; common site for blood drawsra

radial vein

along lateral forearm; drains blood from hand and wrist

superior vena cava

receives blood from upper body; empties into right atria

intercostal vein

drain chest and rib area; empty into azygous vein (in chest)i

inferior vena cava

largest vein; carries blood from lower body and viscera to heart

renal vein

receive blood from kidneys

gonadal vein

drain ovaries or testes; important for circulation of hormones

lumbar vein 

drain abdominal wall and vertebral column

common iliac vein

drain lower legs and pelvic area

external iliac vein

drains legs; important role in leg circulation

internal iliac vein

drains blood from pelvic organs (bladder, rectum)

femoral vein

main vein of thigh

great saphenous vein

longest. superficial vein; goes from foot to groin; subject to varicose vein conditions

small saphenous vein

drains from foot to knee

fibular vein

also called peroneal; drains lateral lower leg

posterio tibial vein

drains posterior leg and foot; essential for calf circulation

anterior tibial vein

drains anterior leg, contributes to overall venous leg flow

aorta

largest artery, originates from left ventricle

coronary arteries

supply myocardium with oxygenated blood; LAD is called “widow maker”

brachiocephalic artery

originates off aorta and supplies right arm and head; supplies blood to brain through carotid arteries

left common carotid artery

supplies blood to left side of head and face

left subclavian artery

supplies blood to left arm

celiac trunk artery

originates off abdominal aorta; supplies blood to stomach, liver, and spleen; key role in digestion and detoxification of blood

superior mesenteric artery

supplies small intestine and large intestine

renal arteries

supplies kidneys and plays role in filtration of blood

inferior mesenteric artery

supplies lower portion of large intestine

common iliac artery

supply pelvis and lower limbs; split off the abdominal aorta

femoral arteries

supply blood to lower legs

radial artery

supplies lower arm and hand; site for taking pulse on wrist

popliteal artery

supples lower thigh and knee; popliteral pulse difficult to palpate - deep behind the knee

posterior tibital artery

supplies lower leg; pulse can be taken on the side of the ankled

dorsal pedis artery

supplies foot; pulse can be taken on top of the foo