Cardiovascular System: Main Blood Vessels

Cardiovascular System: Main Blood Vessels

• The aorta originates from the left ventricle, distributing oxygenated blood to all body parts.
• Aorta's components include ascending aorta, aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta.
• Branches of the ascending aorta include the right and left coronary arteries.
• Branches of the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic trunk (dividing into right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery), left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
• The abdominal aorta branches into the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries.
• Terminal branches (of the abdominal aorta) include right and left common iliac arteries.
• The common iliac artery divides into internal and external iliac arteries.
• The external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery, supplying the lower limb.
• The internal iliac artery supplies blood to pelvic organs.
• The femoral artery branches into the popliteal artery, which further divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, supplying the lower leg and foot.
• The superior vena cava drains the upper body and the inferior vena cava drains the lower body.
• Both vena cavas deliver deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
• Pulmonary trunk carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
• Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
• The portal vein collects nutrient-rich blood from the intestines and delivers it to the liver for processing.
• The hepatic vein carries processed blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava.

Arteries of the Head and Neck

• Four pairs of arteries supply the head and neck: common carotid arteries and three branches from each subclavian artery.
• Most parts of the head and neck receive their blood supply from the common carotid arteries.
• Common carotid arteries divide into external and internal carotid arteries.
• External carotid arteries supply most tissues outside the brain and orbit.
• Near the temporomandibular joint, external carotids split into superficial temporal and maxillary arteries.
• Internal carotid arteries supply the orbits and most of the cerebrum.
• Vertebral arteries supply the posterior brain.
• These arteries connect to form the circle of Willis, a loop of anastomoses, providing alternate blood routes to the brain.

Veins

• Venous drainage from the face is mostly superficial.
• Venous drainage from the head and neck terminates in the subclavian veins, which join the brachiocephalic veins behind the clavicle.
• Two brachiocephalic veins unite to form the superior vena cava.
• Head and neck veins are classified as external and internal groups.
• External group: internal jugular, external jugular, anterior jugular, oblique jugular, and posterior external jugular.
• Internal group: venous sinuses, emissary veins, and diploic veins.
• Deep veins of the head and neck include internal jugular veins and the right subclavian vein, which joins with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

This quiz covers the anatomy of the main blood vessels in the cardiovascular system, focusing on the aorta and its branches. You will learn about the distribution of oxygenated blood, the structure of the aorta, and the important arteries supplying various body parts. Test your knowledge of the circulatory system with this detailed quiz.