Human Cardiovascular System and Vessel Anatomy Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering human blood vessel identification, coronary surface anatomy, and major arterial and venous pathways of the upper and lower extremities.

Vessel Naming Principle

An anatomical naming convention where blood vessels derive their names from their anatomical locations, such as the Subclavian artery/vein and Renal artery/vein.

Vessel Mapping

A study technique involving tracking the sequential flow of blood from one vessel in the body to another to review required vascular structures.

Netanatomy

An online database accessible via library databases used to study angiograms for vessel identification.

Aortic Arch Branches

The standard arterial branches originating from the aortic arch supplying the head, neck, and upper limbs: the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.

Sternocostal Surface

The anterior surface of the heart containing vessels such as the left coronary artery, anterior interventricular branch (LAD), circumflex branch, right coronary artery, right marginal branch, small cardiac vein, and great cardiac vein.

Diaphragmatic Surface

The posterior/inferior surface of the heart containing vessels such as the coronary sinus, middle cardiac vein, posterior interventricular branch of the right coronary artery, and posterior vein of the left ventricle.

Anterior Interventricular Branch

A major branch off the left coronary artery running down the sternocostal surface of the heart, also referred to as the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.

Posterior Interventricular Branch

A major branch off the right coronary artery running along the diaphragmatic surface, also referred to as the posterior descending artery.

Arteries of the Lower Extremities

The arterial network supplying the leg originating from the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, including the femoral, deep femoral, popliteal, anterior tibial, posterior tibial, fibular, dorsalis pedis, and arcuate arteries.

Veins of the Lower Extremities

The venous network draining blood from the lower limb, comprising superficial veins (great saphenous, small saphenous) and deep veins (fibular, posterior tibial, anterior tibial, popliteal, femoral, deep femoral, external iliac, internal iliac, common iliac) into the inferior vena cava.

Arteries of the Upper Extremities

The arterial pathway supplying the arm, consisting of the subclavian, axillary, brachial, deep brachial, radial, ulnar, superficial palmar arch, and deep palmar arch arteries.

Veins of the Upper Extremities

The venous vessels draining the arm, divided into superficial veins (cephalic, basilic, median cubital) and deep veins (radial, ulnar, brachial, axillary, subclavian).

Great Saphenous Vein

A major superficial vein of the lower extremity extending along the medial aspect of the leg and thigh to enter the femoral vein.

Small Saphenous Vein

A superficial vein along the posterior lower leg that empties into the popliteal vein behind the knee.

Femoral Artery

The main artery supplying the lower limb, branching from the external iliac artery into the anterior thigh.

Deep Femoral Artery

A large branch arising from the femoral artery that supplies the deep posterior structures and muscles of the thigh.

Popliteal Artery

The direct continuation of the femoral artery passing through the popliteal fossa posterior to the knee joint.

Anterior Tibial Artery

An arterial branch of the popliteal artery that travels through the anterior compartment of the leg to the dorsum of the foot.

Posterior Tibial Artery

An arterial branch of the popliteal artery running down the posterior leg, which branches into the fibular artery.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

The continuation of the anterior tibial artery located on the dorsal aspect of the foot.

Arcuate Artery

An arterial arch in the foot originating from the dorsalis pedis artery across the base of the metatarsals.

Subclavian Artery

A paired major artery located inferior to the clavicle that transitions into the axillary artery to supply blood to the arm.

Axillary Artery

The continuation of the subclavian artery traversing the axilla region before becoming the brachial artery.

Brachial Artery

The chief artery of the upper arm, extending from the axillary artery and bifurcating into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Deep Brachial Artery

A deep branch originating from the brachial artery supplying posterior triceps and arm structures.

Radial Artery

The lateral branch of the brachial artery in the forearm running parallel to the radius bone toward the thumb side.

Ulnar Artery

The medial branch of the brachial artery in the forearm running parallel to the ulna bone toward the pinky side.

Cephalic Vein

A major superficial vein running along the lateral aspect of the arm and forearm.

Basilic Vein

A major superficial vein running along the medial side of the upper extremity.

Median Cubital Vein

A superficial vein crossing the cubital fossa that interconnects the cephalic vein and basilic vein.