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Abdominal Aorta

The branches of the abdominal aorta may be divided into three sets: the visceral branches, which supply the organs in the abdomen, renals, testicles and ovaries; the parietal branches, which supply the diaphragm from below and the posterior abdominal walls; and the terminal branches, which descend to supply the organs of the pelvis, the pelvic wall and the paired common iliacs which supply the lower extremities.

Cephalic Vein

The cephalic vein runs up the lateral side of the arm from the hand to the shoulder. In the shoulder, it pierces the tissues and empties into the axillary vein. After the cephalic vein joins the axillary vein, it becomes the "subclavian vein," and then empties into the superior vena cava. In the bend of the elbow, a "medial cubital vein" rises from the cephalic vein and crosses over to the basilic vein. This is the vein that is commonly used for blood samples or to add fluids into the body.

Anterior Tibial Artery

At its lower end, the popliteal artery below the knee divides into the anterior and the posterior tibial arteries. The anterior tibial artery passes down between the tibia and the fibula (lower leg bones) and branch off into smaller arteries into the skin and muscles in the lower leg region. It also communicates with the nerve network at the knee and another network around the ankle. This vessel continues into the foot and toes.

Arch of The Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It extends upward from the left ventricle of the heart, arches over the heart to the left, and descends just in front of the spinal column. The first portion of the aorta is the "ascending aorta," which branches into the "arch of the aorta." Three major arteries originate from the aortic arch: the "brachiocephalic artery," which supplies blood to the brain and head; the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery.

Arcuate Artery

The arcuate artery supplies blood to foot and toes.

Axillary Artery

The axillary artery supplies branches of blood vessels to the axilla (region under the arm) and the chest wall, including the skin and the shoulder; part of the mammary gland; the upper end of the humerus (upper arm bone); the shoulder joint; and various muscles in the back, shoulder, and chest. As the vessel leaves the axilla, it becomes the brachial artery.

Basilic Vein

The basilic vein passes along the back of the forearm on the ulnar side for a distance and then curves to the surface below the elbow. It continues to move up the medial side until it reaches the middle of the upper arm. There, it enters deep into the tissues and joins the "brachial vein." As the basilic and brachial veins merge, they form the "axillary vein."

Brachial Artery/Vein

The brachial artery stems from the axillary artery and moves along the humerus (upper arm bone) down to the elbow. It gives rise to the "deep brachial artery" that curves around the back of the humerus to supply blood to the triceps muscles. Shorter branches pass into various other muscles on the front of the upper arm, and others descend down each side of the elbow to join arteries in the forearms. The corresponding brachial vein will parallel the artery on its trip back to the heart.

Bronchus

The bronchus is the air passage into the lungs. Each lung has one main bronchus, which begins at the end of the trachea or windpipe. The bronchus divides into smaller branches known as segmental bronchi, which then divide into bronchioles. (See "Bronchial Bulbs")

Carotid Arteries

The carotid arteries are the four principal arteries of the neck and head. They have two specialized regions: the carotid sinus, which monitors the blood pressure, and the carotid body, which monitors the oxygen content in the blood and helps regulate breathing. The internal carotid arteries enter the skull to supply the brain and eyes. At the base of the brain, the two internal carotids and the basilar artery join to form a ring of blood vessels called the "circle of Willis." The external carotid arteries have several branches which supply the tissues of the face, scalp, mouth and jaws.

Circumflex Fibular Artery

The circumflex fibular artery usually rises from the upper end of the posterior tibial artery (in the lower leg), but may come from the popliteal artery or even from the anterior tibial artery. It enters the fibular head of the soleus muscle, winds around the neck of the fibula, and supplies blood along the peroneal muscles which arise from the upper part of the fibula.

Abdominal Veins and Arteries

Veins usually carry blood straight to the atria of the heart, but those of the abdominal tissues are exceptions. These come from networks in the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen, and carry blood from these organs through a "portal vein" to the liver. There, the blood enters capillarylike "hepatic sinusoids," called the "hepatic portal system." The tributaries of the portal vein include (1) the right and left "gastric veins" from the stomach; (2) the "superior mesenteric vein" from the small intestine, ascending colon, and transverse colon, and (3) the "splenic vein" from a number of merging veins from the spleen, pancreas, and part of the stomach. Its largest tributary is the "inferior mesenteric vein," which brings blood up from the descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum. After passing through the portal veins of the liver, blood is carried through a series of merging vessels into the "hepatic veins." These empty into the "inferior vena cava," and return the blood into circulation. The corresponding arteries of the same names are taking oxygenated blood to these sites in paths parallel to those of the veins.

Common Iliac Artery

Just to the left side of the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra, the abdominal aorta divides into two common iliac arteries. These again divide as they descend from the end of the aorta and each divides, between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, into the external iliac artery, which supplies blood to much of the lower limbs, and the internal iliac artery, which supplies the viscera and the walls of the pelvis. Each common iliac artery divides into smaller branches to supply muscles and tissues in the ureter region and begins accessory to the renal arteries.

Cricoid Cartilage

The larynx (voice box) is composed primarily of muscles and cartilages that are bound together by elastic tissues. The cricoid cartilage lies below the thyroid cartilage and marks the lowermost portion of the larynx.

Femoral Artery/Vein

The femoral artery, which passes fairly close to the outer surface of the upper thighs, divides into smaller branches to provide blood to muscles and superficial tissues in the thigh. They also supply the skin of the groin and lower abdominal wall. Important branches of the femoral artery include: (1) superficial circumflex iliac artery to the lymph nodes and the skin of the groin; (2) superficial epigastric artery to the skin of the abdominal wall; (3) superficial and deep external pudenal arteries to the skin of the lower abdomen and external genitalia; (4) profunda femoris artery, which is the largest branch of the femoral artery and supplies the hip joint and various muscles in the thigh; and (5) deep genicular artery to the farthest ends of the thigh muscles and to connecting nerve networks around the knee joint. The corresponding femoral vein travels parallel to the artery, carrying the blood from these locations back to the heart.

Palmar Arteries/Veins

The "deep palmar branch" of arteries are extensions of the ulnar artery, branching out above wrist area. It extends down the middle of the wrist, then curves around the side into the palm of the hand, accompanied by the deep branch of the radial nerve, to form a network of nerves and blood vessels. At this point it joins the radial artery and completes the "deep palmar arch" in the upper area of the hand. The "superficial palmar arch" is usually formed by the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery joining another branch that descends from the radial artery. The superficial arch curves across the palm and lies distally in the lower part of the hand, above the fingers. It is covered with skin, muscles and nerves. This arch gives rise to three common palmar digital arteries. The corresponding palmar veins parallel the paths of the arteries.

Dorsal Carpal Arteries/Veins

The "dorsal carpal branch" of the radial and ulnar arteries supply blood to the "dorsal digital branches," which then supply the sides of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. The dorsal digital vessels form a network of blood vessels and nerves with the proper palmar digital branches of the superficial palmar arch. The dorsal veins parallel the arteries of the same name on their way back up to the radial and ulnar veins. Dorsal veins and arteries are also found in the feet which are also responsible for the supply to and the draining of blood supplied to the top of the foot

Dorsal Metatarsal Arteries/Veins

In the top side of the foot, the "dorsal digital veins," carrying blood up to the small saphenous vein, communicate with the plantar digital veins in the clefts between the toes. The adjacent dorsal digital veins join to form the "dorsal metatarsal veins." These metatarsal vessels unite across the far ends of the foot (just above the toes) to form the "dorsal venous arch." On the sole of the foot, the superficial veins form a "plantar cutaneous venous arch" that extends across the root of the toes and opens at the sides of the foot into medial and lateral veins. The corresponding dorsal arteries parallel the paths of the veins of the same name.

Epiglottis

The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage lying behind the tongue and in front of the entrance to the larynx (voice box). At rest, the epiglottis is upright and allows air to pass through the larynx and into the rest of the respiratory system. During swallowing, it folds back to cover the entrance to the larynx, preventing food and drink from entering the windpipe. The throat contains both an air passage (the wind pipe) and a food passage (the esophagus). If these passages were both open when a person swallowed, air could enter the stomach and food could enter the lungs. Part of the safety hatch that seals off the windpipe is the "epiglottis," a little valvelike cartilage, which works with the larynx to act as a lid every time we swallow. The larynx draws upward and forward to close the windpipe. This keeps solid food and liquid out of the respiratory tract. At the end of each swallow, the epiglottis moves up again, the larynx returns to rest, and the flow of air into the windpipe continues. The uvula (Latin for "little grape") is a fleshy piece of muscle, tissue and mucous membrane that hangs down from the palate. It is the part that moves upward when we say, "Ah!" It flips up and helps close off the nasal passages when we swallow. Contrary to the depictions seen in cartoons, the uvula does not vibrate during singing and shouting and, in fact, has nothing to do with the voice.

External Carotid Artery/Vein

The "external carotid artery" flows upward on the side of the head to branch into various structures in the neck, face, jaw, scalp, and base of the skull. The main vessels that originate from this artery are: (1) the "superior thyroid artery" to the hyoid bone, larynx, and thyroid gland; (2) the "lingual artery" to the tongue, muscles of the tongue, and salivary glands below the tongue; (3) the "facial artery" to the pharynx (throat), palate, chin, lips, and nose; (4) the "occipital artery" to the scalp on the back of the skull and various muscles in the neck; and (5) the "posterior auricular artery" to the ear and scalp over the ear. The external carotid artery terminates by division into the "maxillary" and "superficial temporal arteries."

External Iliac Artery

The abdominal aorta divides to form the "common iliac arteries" in the lower abdomen, and these vessels supply blood to the pelvic organs, gluteral region, and legs. Each common iliac artery descends a short distance and divides into an internal and an external branch. The external iliac artery provides the main blood supply to the legs. It passes down along the brim of the pelvis and divides into two large branches - the "inferior epigastric artery" and a "deep circumflex artery." These vessels supply blood to the muscles and skin in the lower abdominal wall. The external iliac artery passes beneath the inguinal ligament in the lower part of the abdomen and becomes the femoral artery.

External Iliac Vein

The deep veins of the lower leg, such as the "anterior tibial" and "posterior tibial veins," have names that correspond with the artery which they accompany. At the level of the knee, these vessels form a single trunk, the "poplitear vein." This vein continues upward through the thigh as the "femoral vein," which becomes the "external iliac vein" just behind the inguinal ligament in the lowest regions of the abdomen.

Femoral Artery/Vein

The femoral artery, which passes fairly close to the outer surface of the upper thighs, divides into smaller branches to provide blood to muscles and superficial tissues in the thigh. They also supply the skin of the groin and lower abdominal wall. Important branches of the femoral artery include: (1) superficial circumflex iliac artery to the lymph nodes and the skin of the groin; (2) superficial epigastric artery to the skin of the abdominal wall; (3) superficial and deep external pudenal arteries to the skin of the lower abdomen and external genitalia; (4) profunda femoris artery, which is the largest branch of the femoral artery and supplies the hip joint and various muscles in the thigh; and (5) deep genicular artery to the farthest ends of the thigh muscles and to connecting nerve networks around the knee joint. The corresponding femoral vein travels parallel to the artery, carrying the blood from these locations back to the heart.

Saphenous Veins

The superficial veins of the foot and leg interconnect to form a complex network below the skin. These vessels drain into two major trunks: the small and great saphenous veins. The "small saphenous vein" begins on the lateral portion of the foot and passes upward, rising along the back of the calf, enters the popliteal fossa (a depression in the bone behind the knee) to join the popliteal vein. The "great saphenous vein," which is the longest vein in the body, begins on the medial side of the foot. It rises to extend up along the inner side of the leg and penetrates deep into the thigh just below the inguinal ligament in the lower abdomen, where it joins the femoral vein. Near its distant end, it receives vessels that drain the upper thigh, groin, and lower abdominal wall. The femoral and the great saphenous veins merge into the external iliac vein.

The Heart

The heart is a pumping system which intakes deoxygenated blood through the veins, delivering it to the lungs for oxygenation and then pumping it into the various arteries to be transmitted to where it is needed throughout the body for energy. The heart is about the size of a fist but delivers a more powerful punch. Luckily for us, it contains a buffer zone to decrease its force or we would be shaken by every beat. This buffer zone also protects the heart from outside injury and keeps it from scraping against the chest wall. In some instances, nightmares can seem so real that the heart will pound in fear. In one study, the heart rate of the sleeper was timed at 150 beats per minute. Myth has it that the heart is the seat of the emotions, but it is, instead, a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body and only contributes to the emotions by sending oxygenated blood to our brain cells; so, if you want to gain someone's affection, you may have to ask Cupid to shoot them through the head rather than the heart. An arrow through the heart (or through the head, for that matter) would stop all bodily functions. The Medical Dictionary reports that the heart beats more than 2.5 billion times in an average lifetime. Isn't that "thumping"?

Inferior Vena Cava

The inferior vena cava is a large vein ascending through the abdomen. It collects blood from the hepatic veins, the lumbar veins, gonadal veins, renal veins, and phrenic veins. These vessels usually drain regions that are supplied by arteries with corresponding names. The inferior vena cava enters the heart through the right atrium.

Intermediate Antebrachial Vein

The intermediate antebrachial vein drains blood from dorsum of thumb and the elbow

Internal Iliac Artery

The abdominal aorta divides to form the "common iliac arteries" in the lower abdomen, and these vessels supply blood to the pelvic organs, gluteral region, and legs. Each common iliac artery descends a short distance and divides into an internal and an external branch. The internal iliac artery divides into many smaller branches to supply the various pelvic muscles and tissue structures, as well as the gluteal muscles (buttocks) and the external genitalia. Some of the important branches of this vessel include: (1) iliolumbar artery to the ilium (hipbone) and muscles of the back; (2) superior and inferior gluteal arteries to the muscles of the buttocks, pelvic muscles, and the skin of the buttocks; (3) internal pudendal artery to the alimentary canal, external genitalia, and hip joint; (4) the superior and inferior vesical arteries to the urinary bladder and, in males, the prostate gland; (5) middle rectal artery to the rectum; and (6) uterine artery to the uterus and vagina in females.

Iliac Vein

In the pelvic region, blood is carried away from organs of the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems by vessels leading to the "internal iliac veins." These veins have many interconnections that form a network (called "plexuses") in the region of the rectum, urinary bladder, and prostate gland (in the male) or uterus and vagina (in the female). The internal iliac veins come from deep in the pelvic region and rise to the lower portion of the abdomen, where they join with the right and left "external iliac veins" and form the "common iliac veins." These, in turn, merge to produce the "inferior vena cava" at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Jugular Veins

There are jugular veins on each side of the neck, which return the deoxygenated blood from the head to the heart. The jugular vein lies deep inside the neck and is seldom injured

Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery/Vein

The deep femoral artery supplies much of the musculature in the front and middle compartments of the thigh. Some of its vessels penetrate through the muscles to the back compartment and contribute to the supply of the hamstrings. The "lateral femoral circumflex artery" arises from the side of the deep femoral artery and passes behind the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles, where it divides into three branches: the ascending, transverse, and descending branches. The "ascending branch" passes over to the side of the hip, and joins a network with the end branches of the superior gluteal and deep iliac circumflex arteries. The "descending branch" courses downward behind the rectus femoris, and one long branch descends as far as the knee, where it joins an aspect of the popliteal artery. It is accompanied by a branch of the femoral nerves. The "transverse branch" is the smallest branch, but it is often absent. It winds around the femur and connects a network of vessels and nerves on back of the thigh. The corresponding veins parallel the paths of the arteries of the same name.

Genicular Artery

The genicular arteries (inferior and superior) supply the knee joint and the skin of the upper and media leg.

Pulmonary Artery/Vein

When the muscular wall of the right ventricle contacts, the blood inside the heart chamber is put under more pressure, and the tricuspid valve closes. As a result, the only exit is through the "pulmonary trunk," which divides to form the right and left "pulmonary arteries." At the base of this trunk is a "pulmonary semilunar valve" that is made up of three leaflets or cusps. This valve opens when the right ventricle contracts. When the right ventricular muscles relax, blood starts back up the pulmonary trunk, causing the valve to close to prevent the flow from returning into the ventricular chamber. The pulmonary vein travels parallel to the pulmonary artery as it carries the blood back up to the heart.

Lungs (An Overview)

Air, which is inhaled through the mouth and nasal passages, travels through the windpipe or "trachea" into two main air passages. These divide into smaller branches which separate into even smaller "twigs" like an upside-down tree. The respiratory system is mainly contained in two lungs. The little air sacs at the end of the twigs comprise the fruit of the tree, and through its thin walls gasses pass into and out of the blood. The right lung is made up of three compartments, each of which contain a branch and each of which stems off into smaller "twigs," which hold the air sacs (or "fruit" of the tree) that process the oxygen in the air to be released into the blood and expel carbon dioxide, which is exhaled through the nose and mouth. The left lung cavity contains only two sections (each with its own branches, twigs and fruit) and encloses the heart, which processes the oxygenated blood and returns deoxygenated blood into the lungs for exhalation. Breathing is an automatic process which comes from the brain stem and is so strong a force that the involuntary reflexes will not allow us to stop breathing for any length of time. The passageways in the respiratory system are lined with various types of epithelia to prepare the air properly for utilization and with hair-like fibers called cilia that move in a wave-like motion to sweep debris out of the lungs for expulsion. The women in ancient Greece and Rome wore corsets of linen to restrain their figures. The female waistline has been moved up and down over the passage of time, but this became a real health hazard when whalebone corsets came into use during the last part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries, because they constricted the vital organs in the body - especially those of the respiratory and digestive systems. Women with "wasp-like" waists fainted so often that those who were well-off purchased "fainting" couches; and when a woman "swooned," the cry, "Cut her laces!" often allowed her enough air to recover.

Posterior Tibial Artery

At its lower end, the popliteal artery below the knee divides into the anterior and the posterior tibial arteries. The posterior tibial artery, the larger of the two popliteal branches, descends beneath the calf muscle and divides into branches to supply blood to the skin, muscles, and other tissues of the lower leg along the way. Some of these join the nerve networks behind the knee and around the ankle. The largest branch of the posterior tibial artery is the "peroneal artery," which travels down along the fibula (lower leg bone) and contributes to the nerve network around the ankle.

Radial Artery/Vein

Within the elbow, the brachial artery divides into an ulnar and a radial artery. The radial artery, a true continuation of the brachial artery, travels down the radial side of the forearm to the wrist. As it nears the wrist, it rises close to the surface and is a convenient vessel for taking the pulse. At the wrist, branches of the ulnar and radial arteries join to form a network of vessels, which supply the structures in the wrist, hand and fingers. The corresponding radial vein will parallel the artery as it travels back to the heart.

Retromandibular Vein

The retromandibular vein is a tributary of the internal and external jugular veins, which run up the neck into the facial veins.

Brachiocephalic Artery/Vein

The brachiocephalic artery supplies blood to the tissues of the brain and the head. It is the first branch of the aortic arch and rises up to a point near the junction of the sternum (breast bone) and the right clavicle (collarbone). At this point, it divides, giving rise to the "common carotid artery," which carries blood to the right side of the neck and head, and the right "subclavian artery," which leads to the right arm. Branches of the subclavian artery supply blood to parts of the shoulder, neck and head. The brachiocephalic vein takes blood from these sites back to the heart from the subclavian vein.

Ulnar Artery/Vein

Within the elbow, the brachial artery divides into an ulnar and a radial artery. The ulnar artery leads down the ulnar side of the forearm to the wrist. Some of the branches supply blood to the area around the elbow-joint, while others supply the flexor and extensor muscles in the lower arm. At the wrist, branches of the ulnar and radial arteries join to form a network of vessels, which supply the structures in the wrist, hand and fingers. The corresponding ulnar vein will parallel the brachial artery on its way back to the heart.

Veins

Internally, the heart is divided into four hollow chambers, two on the left and two on the right. The upper chambers, called "atria," have relatively thin walls and receive blood returning through the veins. The lower chamber, the "ventricles," force blood out of the heart into the arteries to be carried back to the various sites throughout the body. Veins are responsible for returning blood to the heart after exchanges of gases, nutrients, and wastes have been made between the blood and the body cells. Veins begin when capillaries merge into venules, the venules into small veins, and the small veins merge into larger ones. They are harder to follow than the arteries, because these vessels are interconnected with irregular networks, so that many small unnamed venules may join to form a larger vein. On the other hand, larger veins typically parallel the courses taken by named arteries, and the veins are often given the same name as the companion arteries. The veins from all parts of the body (except from the lungs back to the heart) converge into two major paths that lead to the right atrium of the heart. These veins are the "superior vena cava" and the "inferior vena cava."

Thyroid Cartilage

The larynx (voice box) is composed primarily of muscles and cartilages that are bound together by elastic tissues. The thyroid cartilage was named for the thyroid gland that covers its lower part. This cartilage is the shieldlike structure that protrudes in the front of the neck and is sometimes called the "Adam's apple." The protrusion is usually more prominent in males than in females because of the effect of male sex hormones on the development of the larynx.

Trachea

The trachea begins immediately below the larynx (voicebox) and runs down the center of the front part of the neck ends behind the upper part of the sternum. Here it divides to form two branches which enter the lung cavities. The trachea (windpipe) forms the trunk of an upside-down tree and is flexible, like a vacuum tube, so that the head and neck may twist and bend during the process of breathing. The trachea, or windpipe, is made up of fibrous and elastic tissues and smooth muscle with about twenty rings of cartilage, which help keep the trachea open during extreme movement of the neck. The lining includes cells that secrete mucus along with other cells that bear very small hairlike fringes. This mucus traps tiny particles of debris, and the beating of the fringes moves the mucus up and out of the respiratory tract, keeping the lungs and air passages free. In Russian folk medicine, there is the thought that rubbing the chest with pork fat will cure a cold. Mustard plasters and boiled snails in barley water were thought to be effective by others, and nobody knows what the ingredients were for early "cure-all tonics" and "snake oil" kits. It is now believed that the best medicine is to rest, keep warm, drink plenty of fluids, and eat good, digestible meals. Sounds good to me...and certainly better smelling.