Lab Final Practical Arteries

Subclavian arteries

The *right subclavian artery* originates from the *brachiocephalic trunk*, following the branching of the right common carotid artery. The *left subclavian artery* arises as the *third vessel branching from the aortic arch*. Branches from the subclavian arteries supply the *brain* (vertebral arteries) and supply the *neck and thoracic wall* (thyrocervical trunks, costocervical trunks, and internal thoracic arteries).

Anterior tibial artery

The anterior tibial artery runs through the anterior muscular compartment of the leg, descending along the interosseous membrane lateral to the tibia and sending branches to the extensor muscles along the way

Popliteal artery

The popliteal artery, the inferior continuation of the femoral artery, lies within the popliteal fossa (the region posterior to the knee), a deep location that offers protection from injury

Posterior tibial artery

The posterior tibial artery, which descends through the posteromedial part of the leg, lies directly deep to the soleus muscle.

Radial artery

The radial artery descends along the medial margin of the brachioradialis muscle, *supplying muscles of the lateral anterior forearm*, the lateral part of the wrist, and the thumb and index finger.

Palmar arches

In the palm, branches of the radial and ulnar arteries join to form two horizontal arches, *the superficial and deep palmar arches*. The superficial arch underlies the skin and fascia of the hand, whereas the deep arch lies against the metacarpal bones

Brachiocephalic trunk

T first and largest branch is the brachiocephalic trunk. This vessel ascends to the right toward the base of the neck where it divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.

Aortic arch

Arching posteriorly and to the left, the aortic arch lies posterior to the manubrium of the sternum.

Arcuate artery

At the base of the metatarsal bones, the arcuate artery branches from the dorsalis pedis and sends smaller branches distally along the metatarsals.

Common iliac arteries

At the level of L4, the aorta splits into the right and left common iliac arteries, which *supply the inferior part of the anterior abdominal wall*, as well as the pelvic organs and the lower limbs.

Descending aorta

Continuing from the aortic arch, the *descending aorta* runs posterior to the heart and inferiorly on the bodies of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. It has two parts, the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta.

Ascending aorta

The ascending aorta, one of the great vessels leaving the heart, arises from the left ventricle and ascends for only about 5 cm. It begins posterior to the pulmonary trunk, passes to the right of that vessel, and then curves left to become the aortic arch.

Axillary artery

The axillary artery descends through the axilla, giving off the following branches: the thoracoacromial artery, which arises just inferior to the clavicle and branches to supply much of the pectoralis and deltoid muscle

Brachial artery

The brachial artery descends along the medial side of the humerus deep to the biceps muscle in the medial bicipital groove and *supplies the anterior arm muscles*.

Internal iliac arteries

The branches of internal iliac arteries supply blood to the pelvic walls, pelvic viscera, buttocks, medial thighs, and perineum.

Femoral artery

The femoral artery descends vertically through the thigh medial to the femur and along the anterior surface of the adductor muscles.

Internal carotid arteries

The internal carotid artery enters the skull and supplies the anterior part of the brain (via cerebral branches), the eye and its appendages, and sends branches to the forehead and nose

Superior mesenteric artery

The large, unpaired superior mesenteric artery *serves most of the intestines*. It arises midventrally from the aorta, posterior to the pancreas at the level of *L1*.

Gonadal artery

The paired arteries to the gonads are more specifically called testicular arteries in males and ovarian arteries in females. They branch from the aorta at L2, the level where the gonads first develop in the embryo.

Renal artery

The paired renal arteries to the kidneys stem from the sides of the aorta, between vertebrae L1 and L2. The kidneys remove nitrogenous wastes from the blood delivered via the renal arteries (letter C)

External carotid arteries

The right and left external carotid arteries supply most tissues of the head external to the brain and orbit

External iliac arteries

The right and left external iliac arteries *carry blood to the lower limbs*. Originating from the common iliac arteries in the pelvis, each external iliac artery descends along the arcuate line of the ilium bone, sends some small branches to the anterior abdominal wall, and enters the thigh by passing deep to the midpoint of the inguinal ligament.

Celiac trunk

The short, wide, unpaired celiac trunk *supplies the viscera in the superior part of the abdominal cavity* (coelia = abdominal cavity). Specifically, it sends branches to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and a part of the small intestine (duodenum).

Thoracic aorta

The thoracic aorta descends on the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae (T5-T12) just to the left of the midline. Along the way, it sends many small branches to the thoracic organs and body wall. The thoracic aorta passes through the diaphragm at the level of vertebra T12 and enters the abdominal cavity as the abdominal aorta, which lies on the lumbar vertebral bodies in the midline.

Ulnar artery

The ulnar artery, which descends along the medial side of the anterior forearm, lies between the superficial and deep flexor muscles and sends branches to the muscles that cover the ulna.

Inferior mesenteric artery

The unpaired inferior mesenteric artery is the final major branch of the abdominal aorta, arising midventrally at the level of *L3*. It serves the *distal half of the large intestine*, from the last part of the transverse colon to the middle part of the rectum.

Common carotid arteries

paired structure that supplies blood to the head and neck. which ascend through the anterior neck just lateral to the trachea.