Chapt 23 - Circulatory Vocab and Anatomy

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart; usually carries oxygenated blood (except pulmonary arteries); has thick muscular walls to withstand high pressure

[PICTURE

Cross-section diagram of artery showing thick tunica media]

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart; usually carries deoxygenated blood (except pulmonary veins); has thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow

[PICTURE

Cross-section diagram of vein showing valves and thin walls]

Capillary

Smallest blood vessel that bridges arteries and veins; site of gas and nutrient exchange; only one cell layer thick

[PICTURE

Diagram showing capillary connecting arteriole to venule]

Tunica Intima

Innermost layer of blood vessel wall; consists of endothelium, subendothelial layer, and internal elastic lamina

[PICTURE

Detailed vessel wall cross-section]

Tunica Media

Middle layer of blood vessel wall; contains smooth muscle and elastic fibers; thickest layer in arteries; controls vessel diameter

[PICTURE

Vessel wall cross-section highlighting smooth muscle]

Tunica Externa

Outermost layer of blood vessel wall; composed of connective tissue and collagen; thickest layer in veins; anchors vessel to surrounding tissues

[PICTURE

Complete vessel wall diagram]

Endothelium

Smooth inner lining of blood vessels; made of simple squamous epithelium; reduces friction for blood flow

Continuous Capillary

Type of capillary with tight junctions between endothelial cells; provides selective permeability; found in muscle, nervous tissue, and skin

[PICTURE

Diagram showing continuous endothelial layer]

Fenestrated Capillary

Type of capillary with small pores (fenestrations) in endothelial cells; allows rapid exchange; found in kidneys, intestines, and endocrine glands

[PICTURE

Diagram showing pores in capillary wall]

Sinusoidal Capillary

Type of capillary with large gaps between endothelial cells and discontinuous basement membrane; allows passage of large molecules and cells; found in liver, spleen, bone marrow

[PICTURE

Diagram showing large gaps in capillary wall]

Capillary Bed

Network of interconnected capillaries lying between arteriole and venule; allows exchange between blood and tissues

[PICTURE

Diagram of capillary bed network]

Precapillary Sphincter

Small circular muscle that controls blood flow into capillary beds; opens and closes based on tissue metabolic needs [PICTURE

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of blood vessel diameter due to smooth muscle contraction; increases blood pressure and reduces flow to area

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessel diameter due to smooth muscle relaxation; decreases blood pressure and increases flow to area

Atherosclerosis

Disease characterized by buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in artery walls; causes narrowing of lumen and reduced blood flow

[PICTURE

Cross-section showing plaque buildup]

Aorta

Largest artery in the body; carries oxygenated blood from left ventricle to systemic circulation

[PICTURE

Heart showing aorta emerging from left ventricle]

Aortic Arch

Curved portion of aorta that gives rise to three major branches

[PICTURE

Aortic arch with labeled branches]

Brachiocephalic Trunk

First and largest branch of aortic arch; splits into right subclavian and right common carotid arteries

[PICTURE

Aortic arch diagram highlighting brachiocephalic trunk]

Common Carotid Artery

Major artery supplying head and neck; splits into internal carotid (brain) and external carotid (face)

[PICTURE

Neck vessels showing carotid branching]

Internal Carotid Artery

Branch of common carotid that supplies blood to the brain; major component of cerebral circulation

[PICTURE

Brain blood supply diagram]

External Carotid Artery

Branch of common carotid that supplies blood to face, scalp, and neck structures

[PICTURE

Head and neck vessel diagram]

Circle of Willis

Ring of arteries at base of brain; provides collateral circulation; formed by cerebral and communicating arteries

[PICTURE

Bottom view of brain showing arterial circle]

Subclavian Artery

Major artery supplying upper limb; becomes axillary artery after crossing first rib

[PICTURE

Arm vessel pathway diagram]

Axillary Artery

Continuation of subclavian artery in armpit region; becomes brachial artery at lower border of teres major

[PICTURE

Shoulder and arm vessel diagram]

Brachial Artery

Main artery of upper arm; splits into radial and ulnar arteries at elbow; pulse point for blood pressure

[PICTURE

Arm showing brachial artery pathway]

Radial Artery

Lateral artery of forearm; commonly used for pulse check at wrist

[PICTURE

Forearm vessels showing radial and ulnar]

Ulnar Artery

Medial artery of forearm; larger than radial artery; forms part of palmar arches in hand

[PICTURE

Forearm and hand vessel diagram]

Celiac Trunk

First major branch of abdominal aorta; supplies liver, stomach, and spleen via hepatic, gastric, and splenic arteries

[PICTURE

Abdominal vessels showing celiac branches]

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Second major branch of abdominal aorta; supplies small intestine and ascending colon

[PICTURE

Abdominal vessel diagram showing mesenteric circulation]

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Branch of abdominal aorta; supplies descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum

[PICTURE

Lower abdominal vessel diagram]

Renal Artery

Branch of abdominal aorta that supplies blood to kidneys; essential for kidney function and blood pressure regulation

[PICTURE

Kidney blood supply diagram]

Common Iliac Artery

Terminal branch of abdominal aorta; splits into internal and external iliac arteries

[PICTURE

Pelvic vessel diagram]

External Iliac Artery

Branch of common iliac that becomes femoral artery; supplies lower limb

[PICTURE

Leg vessel pathway diagram]

Femoral Artery

Main artery of thigh; continuation of external iliac; becomes popliteal artery behind knee

[PICTURE

Thigh vessels showing femoral artery]

Popliteal Artery

Artery behind knee; continuation of femoral; splits into anterior and posterior tibial arteries

[PICTURE

Knee region vessel diagram]

Anterior Tibial Artery

Front artery of lower leg; supplies anterior compartment muscles; becomes dorsalis pedis in foot

[PICTURE

Lower leg anterior vessels]

Posterior Tibial Artery

Back artery of lower leg; pulse point behind medial malleolus; supplies posterior compartment

[PICTURE

Lower leg posterior vessels]

Superior Vena Cava

Large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from upper body to right atrium

[PICTURE

Heart showing SVC entrance]

Inferior Vena Cava

Large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from lower body to right atrium

[PICTURE

Heart showing IVC entrance]

Brachiocephalic Vein

Large vein formed by junction of internal jugular and subclavian veins; drains into superior vena cava

[PICTURE

Upper body venous drainage diagram]

Internal Jugular Vein

Major vein draining blood from brain and deep neck structures; joins subclavian to form brachiocephalic

[PICTURE

Neck vessel diagram showing jugular veins]

External Jugular Vein

Superficial vein draining blood from scalp and superficial face; visible in neck

[PICTURE

Neck showing superficial and deep veins]

Dural Sinuses

Specialized venous channels within skull that drain blood from brain; include superior sagittal, transverse, and petrosal sinuses

[PICTURE

Brain showing dural sinus locations]

Cephalic Vein

Superficial vein on lateral side of arm; drains into axillary vein

[PICTURE

Arm showing superficial veins]

Basilic Vein

Superficial vein on medial side of arm; becomes axillary vein

[PICTURE

Arm venous anatomy diagram]

Median Cubital Vein

Superficial vein connecting cephalic and basilic veins at elbow; commonly used for blood draws

[PICTURE

Elbow region showing venous anatomy]

Hepatic Portal Vein

Vein that collects blood from digestive organs and routes it through liver before returning to heart

[PICTURE

Liver circulation diagram showing portal system]

Hepatic Vein

Vein that drains blood from liver into inferior vena cava after liver processing

[PICTURE

Liver venous drainage diagram]

Great Saphenous Vein

Longest vein in body; superficial vein of leg running from foot to groin

[PICTURE

Leg showing superficial venous system]

Small Saphenous Vein

Superficial vein on back of leg; drains into popliteal vein

[PICTURE

Posterior leg venous anatomy]

Left Coronary Artery

Main coronary artery arising from left side of aortic root; supplies left side of heart

[PICTURE

Heart showing coronary arteries]

Right Coronary Artery

Main coronary artery arising from right side of aortic root; supplies right side of heart