CVS veins and arteries anatomy

Internal Iliac Artery

  • Overview: The internal iliac artery is a major artery in the pelvis that supplies blood to the pelvic region, including pelvic viscera, and also contributes to the blood supply of the lower limb.

  • Pelvic cavity: - Supplies blood to the pelvic cavity

  • Lower limb: - Indirectly supplies part of the lower limb via the gluteal arteries, and obturator artery.

Veins of the Brain

  • Overview: The veins of the brain are responsible for draining deoxygenated blood from the brain tissue, with the main types being the internal jugular veins, external jugular veins, and vertebral veins.

  • Internal jugular veins: - They are deep veins. - They drain blood from the dural sinuses of the brain.

  • External jugular veins: - They are superficial veins. - They drain blood from the head and neck

  • Vertebral veins: - They are located in the vertebrae. - They drain blood from the cervical spinal cord and vertebrae.

Systemic Venous System

  • Overview: The systemic venous system is a network of veins that collects deoxygenated blood from the body and returns it to the right atrium of the heart. This system is essential for circulatory function and involves both superficial and deep veins.

  • Major veins: - Includes the coronary sinus, superior vena cava (SVC), and inferior vena cava (IVC).

  • Superficial veins: - Located just beneath the skin. - Examples include the cephalic, basilic, and great saphenous veins.

  • Deep veins: - Located deeper within the body, often alongside arteries. - Examples include the brachial, femoral, and iliac veins.

  • Coronary sinus: - Drains venous blood from the heart wall (myocardium). - Empties into the right atrium.

  • Superior vena cava: - Returns blood from regions superior to the diaphragm (head, neck, thorax, and upper limbs). - Formed by the union of the brachiocephalic veins.

  • Inferior vena cava: - Returns blood from regions inferior to the diaphragm (abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs). - Formed by the union of the common iliac veins.

Arteries of Head and Neck

  • Overview: The arteries of the head and neck supply oxygenated blood to these regions, originating from the aortic arch and branching into various vessels that cater to the brain, face, and neck structures.

  • Common carotid artery: - Primary artery supplying the head and neck. - Originates from the aortic arch on the left side and the brachiocephalic artery on the right side. - It ascends in the neck and bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries. - Provides blood supply to the face, neck, and brain

  • Vertebral artery: - Originates from the subclavian artery. - Ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae. - Enters the skull through the foramen magnum. - Joins the basilar artery, which supplies the brainstem and cerebellum.

  • Subclavian artery: - Originates from the aortic arch (left side) and the brachiocephalic artery (right side). - Courses through the thorax and into the upper limb. - Gives rise to the vertebral artery, thyrocervical trunk, and internal thoracic artery.

  • Axillary artery: - Continuation of the subclavian artery after it passes the first rib. - Located in the axilla (armpit) and supplies blood to the upper limb. - Branches supply the shoulder, chest, and scapular regions.

Pulse Points

  • Overview: Pulse points are locations on the body where the pulsation of an artery can be felt by hand. These points are where an artery is close to the skin's surface and over a bone or firm structure.

  • Temporal pulse: Located on the temple, above and lateral to the eye, where the superficial temporal artery passes.

  • Carotid pulse: Found in the neck along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

  • Facial pulse: Located at the mandible, on the same plane as the corner of the mouth.

  • Axillary pulse: Found in the armpit, along the axillary artery.

  • Brachial pulse: Located in the mid-arm and cubital fossa.

  • Radial pulse: Found on the thumb side of the wrist.

  • Ulnar pulse: Found on the little finger side of the wrist.

  • Femoral pulse: Located in the groin area, near the inguinal ligament.

  • Popliteal pulse: Found behind the knee.

  • Posterior tibial pulse: Located behind the medial malleolus (inner ankle).

  • Dorsalis pedis pulse: Found on the top of the foot, on the dorsum.

Arteries of Abdomen

  • Overview: The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity, and it gives rise to several branches that supply the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall. These branches can be broadly categorized into visceral and parietal branches.

  • Abdominal aorta: - Descends from the diaphragm at T12 to L4 - Terminates by dividing into the right and left common iliac arteries

  • Visceral branches: - Supply the abdominal organs - Celiac trunk: - Supplies the stomach, liver, spleen, and duodenum - Superior mesenteric artery: - Supplies the small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon - Suprarenal arteries: - Supply the adrenal glands - Renal arteries: - Supply the kidneys - Gonadal arteries: - Supply the testes or ovaries - Inferior mesenteric artery: - Supplies the descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum

  • Parietal branches: - Supply the abdominal wall - Inferior phrenic arteries: - Supply the inferior diaphragm - Lumbar arteries: - Supply the posterior abdominal wall - Median sacral artery: - Supplies the sacrum and coccyx

Arteries of Upper Limb

  • Overview: The arteries of the upper limb provide oxygenated blood to the arm, forearm, and hand. They originate from the subclavian artery and branch out, supplying different regions of the upper extremity.

  • Subclavian artery: - The subclavian artery is the primary artery that supplies blood to the upper limb. - It arises from the aortic arch on the left side and the brachiocephalic artery on the right side. - It passes through the neck and enters the axilla, where it becomes the axillary artery.

  • Axillary artery: - The axillary artery is a continuation of the subclavian artery in the axilla (armpit). - It supplies blood to the chest wall, shoulder, and arm. - It gives off branches that supply the muscles and structures in the shoulder region. - It becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of the teres major muscle.

  • Brachial artery: - The brachial artery is the main artery of the arm, continuing from the axillary artery. - It runs down the medial side of the humerus. - It supplies the arm's muscles and tissues. - It branches into the radial and ulnar arteries at the elbow.

  • Radial artery: - The radial artery is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery. - It courses down the lateral side of the forearm. - It supplies blood to the lateral forearm and wrist. - It contributes to the superficial and deep palmar arches in the hand.

  • Ulnar artery: - The ulnar artery is the other terminal branch of the brachial artery. - It runs down the medial side of the forearm. - It supplies the medial forearm and wrist. - It also contributes to the superficial and deep palmar arches in the hand.

Aortic Arch Branches

  • Overview: The aortic arch is a major blood vessel in the human body, and its branches supply blood to the head, neck, and upper limbs. The three primary branches are the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.

  • Brachiocephalic artery: - The first branch off the aortic arch. - It ascends and then divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery, supplying blood to the right side of the head, neck, and right upper limb.

  • Left common carotid artery: - The second branch off the aortic arch. - It ascends the neck to supply blood to the left side of the head and neck.

  • Left subclavian artery: - The third branch off the aortic arch. - It supplies blood to the left upper limb.

Arteries of Lower Limb

  • Overview: The arteries of the lower limb provide oxygenated blood to the leg and foot. They originate from the external iliac artery and branch into several major arteries that supply different regions, ending with the dorsalis pedis artery in the foot.

  • Common Iliac Artery: - Not directly part of the lower limb but is the origin of the external iliac artery. - Formed by the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta.

  • External Iliac Artery: - Originates from the common iliac artery. - Passes under the inguinal ligament to become the femoral artery.

  • Femoral Artery: - Continuation of the external iliac artery. - Located in the anterior thigh. - Branches to supply the thigh and knee.

  • Popliteal Artery: - Continuation of the femoral artery after passing through the adductor hiatus. - Located behind the knee. - Divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

  • Anterior Tibial Artery: - Branch of the popliteal artery. - Travels down the anterior compartment of the leg. - Becomes the dorsalis pedis artery at the ankle.

  • Posterior Tibial Artery: - Branch of the popliteal artery. - Travels down the posterior compartment of the leg. - Gives rise to the fibular artery. - Terminates by dividing into the medial and lateral plantar arteries.

  • Fibular Artery: - Branch of the posterior tibial artery. - Supplies the lateral compartment of the leg.

  • Dorsalis Pedis Artery: - Continuation of the anterior tibial artery on the dorsum of the foot. - Supplies the foot and gives rise to digital arteries that supply the toes.

Veins of Upper Limb

  • Overview: The veins of the upper limb comprise a network of superficial and deep vessels that transport deoxygenated blood from the arm back to the heart. These veins include the axillary, subclavian, and brachiocephalic veins, which play crucial roles in venous drainage.

  • Axillary vein: - Continuation of the basilic vein in the arm. - It runs alongside the axillary artery. - Receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of the axillary artery. - Becomes the subclavian vein as it passes the outer border of the first rib.

  • Subclavian vein: - Continuation of the axillary vein. - Begins at the outer border of the first rib. - Receives the external jugular vein. - Joins with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

  • Brachiocephalic vein: - Formed by the union of the subclavian and internal jugular veins. - The right and left brachiocephalic veins join to form the superior vena cava, which drains into the right atrium of the heart.

Major Arteries

  • Overview: Major arteries are the large blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. These arteries branch into smaller vessels to supply blood to the tissues and organs.

  • Head: - Internal Carotid Artery: Supplies blood to the brain and eyes. - External Carotid Artery: Supplies blood to the face, neck, and scalp. - Vertebral Arteries:Arise from the subclavian arteries and ascend through the neck to supply the brain.

  • Thorax: - Ascending Aorta: The initial part of the aorta, giving rise to the coronary arteries that supply the heart. - Aortic Arch: Gives rise to the brachiocephalic trunk (which branches into the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries), the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. - Thoracic Aorta: The part of the aorta that descends through the thorax, giving off branches to the thoracic organs (esophagus, bronchi, lungs, pericardium) and the thoracic wall (intercostal muscles, spinal cord, vertebrae, and pleurae).

  • Upper limbs: - Subclavian Artery: Arises from the brachiocephalic trunk (right side) or directly from the aortic arch (left side) and supplies blood to the upper limb, the brain, and the thoracic wall. It becomes the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib. - Axillary Artery: Continuation of the subclavian artery in the armpit, supplying blood to the shoulder region and axilla. It becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of the teres major muscle. - Brachial Artery:The main artery of the upper arm, supplying blood to the arm and elbow. It branches into the radial and ulnar arteries at the elbow. - Radial Artery: Runs along the radial side of the forearm. - Ulnar Artery: Runs along the ulnar side of the forearm.

  • Abdominal aorta: - Celiac Trunk: A short artery that branches into the splenic, left gastric, and common hepatic arteries, which supply the stomach, liver, spleen, and part of the pancreas. - Superior Mesenteric Artery: Supplies the small intestine, the ascending colon, and the transverse colon. - Renal Arteries: Supply the kidneys. - Gonadal Arteries: Supply the testes (testicular arteries) or ovaries (ovarian arteries). - Inferior Mesenteric Artery: Supplies the descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. - Common Iliac Arteries: The abdominal aorta bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries, which supply the pelvis and lower limbs.