The Revision Guide for Student Nurses (Part I)

Arteries & Veins - Key Notes

KEY NOTES

ARTERIES (CARRY BLOOD AWAY FROM THE HEART)
AORTA The main artery running above the heart & through the thorax, abdomen & pelvis
CORONARY ARTERIES The vessels which supply the heart
AORTIC ARCH Junction of the aorta giving rise to 2 large branches: the brachiocephalic trunk & left subclavian artery
COMMON CAROTID ARTERIES Branches of the brachiocephalic trunk that supply the head
RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN, AXILLARY & BRACHIAL ARTERIES Continuations of the brachiocephalic trunk which supply blood to the right forelimb
LEFT SUBCLAVIAN, AXILLARY & BRACHIAL ARTERIES These arteries supply the left forelimb
SPINAL ARTERIES As the name implies, these arteries supply the spine
COELIAC ARTERY This artery supplies blood to the stomach, liver & spleen
CRANIAL MESENTERIC ARTERY Supplies the small intestine
CAUDAL MESENTERIC ARTERY Supplies the large intestine
PAIRED RENAL ARTERIES Supply the kidneys
PAIRED OVARIAN/SPERMATIC ARTERIES Supply the genitalia
EXTERNAL ILIAC & FEMORAL ARTERY Supply the hind limbs
INTERNAL ILIAC ARTERY Supplies the pelvic viscera
MEDIAN SACRAL ARTERY Supplies the tail

 

VEINS - CARRY BLOOD TOWARDS THE HEART
JUGULAR VEINS Drain the head
BRACHIAL VEINS Drain the forelimbs
CEPHALIC VEINS Drain the forelimbs
ANTERIOR VENA CAVA Empties blood from the head and forelimbs into the right atrium
AZYGOUS VEIN Drains blood from the intercostal spaces, and may either join the anterior vena cava or empty independently into the right atrium
POSTERIOR VENA CAVA Empties blood from the abdomen, pelvis and hind limbs into the right atrium
BRACHIAL VEINS Drain the hind limbs
FEMORAL VEINS Drain the hind limbs
SAPHENOUS VEINS
Drain the hind limbs