Circulatory System Quiz

Tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins, facilitating the exchange of nutrients and waste.

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

The middle layer of a blood vessel wall, primarily composed of smooth muscle, elastic fibers, and collagen.

Valves are present in veins but not arteries. Their primary function is to prevent backflow of blood, ensuring that blood flows only in one direction.

An abnormal widening of the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart.

The aorta does not narrow as it goes down, which is unusual.

The Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) branches off the aorta at an angle greater than 15 degrees, potentially indicating swollen lymph nodes.

The right renal artery often goes behind the IVC.

When the person holds their breath, the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) gets bigger.

Blood flow directed towards the liver.

The normal direction of blood flow in the portal vein.

The blood flow in the portal vein is reversed, flowing away from the liver.

An aneurysm is a localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel.

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing an aortic aneurysm.

The renal arteries are branches that originate from the aorta on the sides.

They branch inferior to the Superior Mesenteric Artery, approximately at the level of the umbilicus and the first lumbar vertebra.

Low-resistance vessels supply organs that require constant blood flow.

The transverse image of the hepatic veins, as they drain into the inferior vena cava (IVC), resembles a reindeer's antlers or the Playboy Bunny's ears.

It's formed by the joining of the splenic vein and the superior mesenteric vein.

The three vessels that branch off the aortic arch: the innominate (right brachiocephalic) artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.

The superior mesenteric artery and the inferior mesenteric artery supply blood to the intestines. The celiac axis provides blood to the stomach, liver, and spleen. The renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys.

The descending aorta is the section of the aorta that travels through the chest (thoracic) cavity.

The aorta bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries, which then divide into external and internal iliac arteries on each side. These arteries supply blood to the lower limbs and pelvic organs.

Ultrasound of the aorta is used to assess the aorta's diameter, for signs of an aneurysm (a bulge in the aorta), possible blood clots (thrombus), and hardening or calcification of the aorta.

A permanent localized dilation of an artery, with an increase in diameter greater than 1.5 times its normal diameter (aorta = 3cm).

The separation of the layers of the aortic wall, with blood coursing through the false lumen.

Arteriosclerosis, Syphilis, Trauma

The most common location for an aortic aneurysm is below the renal arteries.

The most common location for an aortic aneurysm rupture is the lateral wall below the renal vessels.

An abnormal connection between an artery and a vein.

A condition where the blood flow in the portal vein is reversed, often caused by liver disease.

A condition characterized by a tear in the inner lining of the aorta, which can spread and potentially block blood flow.

A type of blood flow pattern observed in Doppler ultrasound where most of the blood cells travel at similar velocities, creating a clear window in the spectral waveform.

The azygos and hemiazygos veins take over the role of the IVC when it is obstructed.

A resistive index below 0.7 indicates good blood flow to the area being assessed.

A blockage of the hepatic veins, causing blood to back up in the liver.

Flank pain, hematuria, flank mass, proteinuria, and sometimes associated with maternal diabetes and transient hypertension.

These pathways allow blood to bypass the liver in cases of portal hypertension, relieving pressure.

The hepatic veins originate in the liver and drain into the inferior vena cava (IVC).