There, learn this. :-0 Just kidding, but I got your attention, eh? We'll divide the body into three general regions for this examination, upper, mid, and lower body vasculature. Since we are taking this regional approach you will discover both the outgoing arteries and the incoming veins. You'll soon see how these often parallel each other in both location and naming.
Thus far, you should have learned the general pattern of arteries carrying blood AWAY from the heart and veins conducting blood back TOWARD the heart. Capillaries are the microscopic vessels where the real work of blood occurs. They connect between artery and vein systems. We'll begin this examination of upper body vasculature at the heart and work our way outward.
First, notice your posterior perspective. Using the skin control below your dissection, fade out the external anatomy so you have a clearer view of this vasculature. This is just a quick tour of pulmonary circulation. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to and through each lung via the pulmonary arteries. The oxygenated blood then returns to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. Note that pulmonary arteries and veins conduct blood with opposite oxygenation/deoxygenation from regular systemic (body) circulation.
Locate each of the following and dissect them away:
Identify each of the following:
Find the right coronary artery located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. This is a major vessel that provides oxygenated blood to the myocardium. With some careful surgery, let's find its origin by dissecting away the myocardium of both the right atrium and right ventricle. The right atrium itself and pectinate muscles still occlude our view so dissect them away as well. You should now be able to see where the right coronary artery emerges from the ascending aorta. The left coronary artery arises from this same area but we'll not go after it from the posterior perspective (unless you want to go for it on your own :-) ).
Locate these first three branches from the aorta:
Locate each of the following branches of the brachiocephalic trunk:
The clavicles were left in place for a very good reason, "subclavian" means "beneath the clavicle". Note the position of the subclavian arteries relative to the clavicles.
Make note of the asymmetry between the right and left subclavians and carotids. These vessels branch from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right side and from the aortic arch on the left. I've never discovered a developmental hypothesis explaining why there is an asymmetric difference. Interesting though, eh?
Note that both common carotids split forming two different vessels. Identify each of the following:
As you can tell from this view of our veins, draining blood from the head, neck and upper extremities is no small feat. By mousing over structures, locate each of the following. Click the next link if you get too frustrated. It provides you a simpler perspective.
This perspective should help simplify your identification by narrowing your responsibilities to the primary vessels. Once again, identify each of the veins just identified above.
Most blood draining from the head passes into the internal and external jugular veins. The internal jugular primarily collects blood draining from the brain and the external jugular veins collect blood external to the cranium (scalp, deep and superficial face regions). The external jugulars empty into the subclavian veins (right and left) which, in turn, empty into the brachiocephalic veins. The internal jugular veins empty into the brachiocephalic veins. The vertebral veins drain deep structures in the neck such as the cervical vertebrae, cervical spinal cord, and some neck muscles. The right and left brachiocephalic veins merge together to form the superior vena cava. The superior vena cava is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and about an inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and drains blood from the head, neck, chest, and upper limbs into the superior part of the right atrium.
The brachial veins drain blood from the arms into the axillary veins which continue upward to form the subclavian veins which, as you already have seen, drain into the brachiocephalic veins and then into the superior vena cava.
Locate each of the following:
Locate each of the following:
As you can see, the brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary artery into the arm. The brachial artery passes through the cubital fossa, a triangular depression anterior to the elbow where you can easily detect the pulse of the brachial artery and listen with a stethoscope to the various blood flow sounds while taking a person's blood pressure.
Just distal to the bend in the elbow, the brachial artery divides into the radial artery and the ulnar artery. The radial artery is the smaller branch and is a direct continuation of the brachial artery. It passes along the lateral (radial) aspect of the forearm and then through the wrist and hand. At the wrist, the radial artery contacts the distal end of the radius. At this point it is covered only by fascia and skin. Because of this superficial location, it is a common site for measuring the radial pulse.
From this perspective you can test your identification of the primary arteries and veins you are responsible to learn. As you can see, some vessels are very close together and sometimes difficult to distinguish from each other. Work carefully and use the zoom control when necessary.