Blood Vessels Carry Blood Throughout The Body
Nameblood Vessels Carry Blood Throughout The Entire Body The Names
Blood vessels carry blood throughout the entire body. The names of some blood vessels are related to the region which they supply or drain. Most named veins will have the same name of its accompanying artery. Review the blood vessels of the various regions of the body listed below. Assignment 1 – The Circulatory System: Blood Vessels Cranial cavity Head and neck Thoracic cavity Upper extremity Abdominopelvic cavity Lower extremity Some Major Blood Vessels Directions: Complete the table below indicating the area where blood flows based on the blood vessel carrying it.
Paper For Above instruction
The human circulatory system is an intricate network of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body. These vessels are classified into arteries, which carry blood away from the heart, and veins, which return blood back to the heart. Understanding the specific pathways and regions supplied or drained by these blood vessels is crucial for comprehending human physiology and diagnosing various cardiovascular conditions.
Blood Vessels of the Head and Neck
The head and neck region is supplied primarily by the carotid arteries and drained by the jugular veins. The common carotid arteries ascend on both sides of the neck, delivering oxygenated blood to the brain, face, and neck structures. The right and left internal carotid arteries supply the brain, while the external carotid arteries supply the face and scalp. The venous drainage occurs mainly via the internal and external jugular veins, which drain into the brachiocephalic veins, eventually joining the superior vena cava. The thoracic portion receives blood from the thoracic aorta, which supplies oxygenated blood to the thoracic organs and chest wall.
Blood Vessels of the Thoracic Cavity
The thoracic cavity houses the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other vital structures. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, originates from the heart’s left ventricle and ascends as the ascending aorta before arching and descending as the thoracic and abdominal aorta. The thoracic aorta supplies the chest wall, esophagus, and lung tissues. Venous return from this region is via the systemic circuit, including the superior and posterior vena cava, which collect blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs, draining into the right atrium. The coronary arteries, branching from the ascending aorta, supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle itself.
Blood Vessels of the Upper Extremity
The upper limb receives blood from the subclavian artery, which continues as the axillary artery in the axilla, then the brachial artery in the arm. The brachial artery bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries, which supply the forearm and hand. Venous drainage follows the arteries with the cephalic and basilic veins draining into the axillary vein. The medial cubital vein, often used for venipuncture, connects the cephalic and basilic veins. The overall blood flow ensures oxygenated blood reaches the limb tissues and returns deoxygenated blood to the heart efficiently.
Blood Vessels of the Abdominopelvic Cavity
The abdominal organs are supplied by branches of the abdominal aorta, including the hepatic, gastric, splenic, and mesenteric arteries. The hepatic artery supplies the liver, while the gastric arteries supply the stomach. The splenic artery supplies the spleen, and the mesenteric arteries supply the intestines. Venous return occurs via the hepatic portal system, which directs blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver for filtration and detoxification before draining into the hepatic veins and then the inferior vena cava. Renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys, reflecting their vital role in filtration and homeostasis.
Blood Vessels of the Lower Extremity
The lower limb’s main arterial supply comes from the femoral artery, which continues as the popliteal artery behind the knee and then divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. These vessels supply muscles, bones, and skin of the leg and foot. Venous drainage mirrors the arterial pathway, with the great saphenous and small saphenous veins draining blood from superficial structures and deep veins accompanying the arteries. Valves in the veins prevent backflow, facilitating the return of blood to the heart against gravity. The noted circulation ensures metabolic waste removal and nutrient delivery to lower extremity tissues.
Blood Vessel Functions and Additional Details
The vessels carrying blood toward the heart are primarily veins, including the superior and inferior vena cavae, the internal and external jugular veins, and others in systemic circulation (Moore & Dalley, 2018). The kidneys receive blood through the renal arteries, which branch off the abdominal aorta, allowing filtration of blood and regulation of bodily fluid composition (Sherwood, 2015). The heart is supplied by the coronary arteries, which branch from the ascending aorta. The three main types of blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries—the smallest vessels facilitating gas exchange between blood and tissues (Marieb & Hoehn, 2019). The largest blood vessels in the body include the aorta and vena cavae, while the smallest are capillaries, enabling nutrient and gas exchange (Guyton & Hall, 2016). Veins such as the vena cavae carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, with valves present to prevent backflow, especially in the lower limbs (McCance & Huether, 2019).
Answers to Specific Blood Vessel Questions
- Small veins are called venules (Moore & Dalley, 2018).
- The smallest blood vessels are capillaries (Marieb & Hoehn, 2019).
- Vessels that carry blood away from the heart are arteries (Guyton & Hall, 2016).
- The general name of blood vessels on the heart includes coronary arteries and veins (McCance & Huether, 2019).
- The artery that carries deoxygenated blood is the pulmonary artery (Sherwood, 2015).
- The largest artery in the human body is the aorta (Marieb & Hoehn, 2019).
- The small arteries are called arterioles (Moore & Dalley, 2018).
- Capillaries are the blood vessels that allow for gas exchange (Guyton & Hall, 2016).
- The renal artery supplies blood to the kidneys (Sherwood, 2015).
- Blood vessels that have valves include veins, notably the vena cavae and veins of the limbs (McCance & Huether, 2019).
References
- Guyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2016). Textbook of Medical Physiology (13th ed.). Elsevier.
- Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2019). Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th ed.). Pearson.
- McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children (8th ed.). Elsevier.
- Moore, K. L., & Dalley, A. F. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
- Sherwood, L. (2015). Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.