Great Vessels of the HEART

The pulmonary arteries

connect with the mediastinal surface of the lungs.

The brachiocephalic artery:

is the first branch of the aortic arch. It divides again into the right subclavian and right common carotid artery.

The left common carotid artery

is the middle artery arising from the aortic arch. It splits further into the left external and left internal carotid artery.

The left subclavian artery:

is the third branch arising from the aortic arch. It supplies blood to the upper limb and structures of the neck. The first branch from the subclavian artery is the vertebral artery.

The superior vena cava and inferior vena cava:

return blood to the right atrium.

The coronary arteries:

are the only branches from the ascending aorta. q

The aorta

arises from the left ventricle. The aorta is a continuous vessel, but has separately named parts in each region of the body. The regions of the aorta within the thoracic cavity include the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the thoracic aorta.

The pulmonary trunk:

arises from the right ventricle and divides into the right pulmonary and left pulmonary arteries.

The azygos vein:

is a J-shaped vein that returns blood from the chest wall and usually drains into the superior vena cava.

The inferior vena cava:

is bringing deoxygenated blood from the abdomen and the lower extremities.

The superior vena cava:

is returning deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and arms.

The aortic arch:

is the curved portion of the aorta.