Exercise 15: Blood Vessels

1. Describe the structures listed below.

• Layers of a blood vessel
o Tunica interna (intima) the innermost layer of a blood vessel; has an inner surface of
smooth endothelium and a subendothelial layer of loose connective tissue

 Endothelium
 Basal lamina
o Tunica media middle layer of the blood vessel wall; usually the thickest and primarily
made of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, with collagen in larger arteries

 Smooth muscle
 Elastic fibers
o Tunica externa outermost layer of the blood vessel wall; mostly made of loose connective
tissue with varying amounts of elastic fibers and collagen

 Areolar CT
• Elastic artery large arteries which withstand high blood pressure such as the aorta, the common
carotid, common iliac, and pulmonary trunk

• Muscular artery medium arteries which contain more smooth muscle tissue in the tunica media
than elastic arteries; includes brachial, femoral, splenic, and renal arteries

• Vein blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs; thin vessel walls
which collapse when empty, and they have relatively constant blood pressure compared to arteries

o Vasa vasorum small vessels that nourish the walls of a larger blood vessel

• Capillary exchange vessels that transport blood, oxygen, and nutrients to cells; the smallest type
of blood vessel

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2. Be able to identify on a microscope slide and/or model.
• Differentiation between an artery and Sketch
a vein.
• Tunica interna: simple squamous
• Tunica media: smooth muscle and
elastic fibers
• Tunica externa: areolar CT

tunica externa
tunica externa
tunica media
tunica media
tunica interna
tunica interna

smooth muscle
vasa vasorum
internal elastic
membrane smooth muscle
vasa vasorum
external elastic
membrane
nervi vasorum
endothelium
endothelium
elastic fiber

Figure 15.1 Artery and Vein Comparison

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3. Arteries
• Identify and trace the path.
• Know which area of the body is supplied blood by the artery.

• Ascending aorta
o R. coronary artery
o L. coronary artery
• Aortic arch
o Brachiocephalic trunk
 R. subclavian artery
• R. vertebral artery
• R. axillary artery
o R. subscapular artery
o R. brachial artery
o R. radial artery
o R. ulnar artery
 R. common carotid
• R. external carotid
o R. superficial temporal artery
• R. internal carotid
o L. common carotid
 L. external carotid
• L. Superficial temporal artery
 L. internal carotid
o L. subclavian artery
 L. vertebral artery
 L. axillary artery
• L. subscapular artery
• L. brachial artery
• L. radial artery
• L. ulnar artery
• Descending thoracic aorta
• Abdominal aorta
o Celiac trunk
 Common hepatic artery
 L. gastric artery
 Splenic artery
o Superior mesenteric artery
o Renal arteries (L & R)
o Gonadal arteries (L & R)
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 o Inferior mesenteric artery
o Common iliac arteries (L & R)
 External iliac arteries (L & R)
 Internal iliac arteries (L & R)
• Lower limb branches
o External iliac artery
 Femoral artery
• Deep femoral artery
• Popliteal artery
o Anterior tibial artery
o Posterior tibial artery
 Fibular artery
o Dorsalis pedis artery
• Blood supply to the brain
o Cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis)
 Internal carotid arteries
 Anterior cerebral artery
• Anterior communicating artery
 Middle cerebral artery
 Posterior cerebral artery
• Posterior communicating artery
 Basilar artery right
 Vertebral artery common left common carotid a.
carotid a.

left subclavian a.
right subclavian a.

brachiocephalic artery
aortic arch

ascending aorta descending aorta

left coronary artery

right coronary artery

thoracic aorta

abdominal aorta

Figure 15.2 Branches of the Aorta

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 vertebral a. right common carotid a.
left common carotid a.
right subclavian a.
left subclavian a.
brachiocephalic trunk
axillary a.
aortic arch
pulmonary trunk
ascending aorta descending aorta
diaphragm
celiac trunk
renal a.

brachial a. superior mesenteric a.

gonadal a.
radial a. inferior mesenteric a.
ulnar a. common iliac a.
superficial
internal iliac a.
external iliac a. temporal a.

maxillary a.
palmar arches
deep femoral a. occipital a.

internal carotid a.

femoral a. facial a.
carotid sinus
lingual a.
descending vertebral a.
popliteal a. genicular a.
external
posterior tibial a. carotid a.

anterior tibial a.

fibular a.

dorsalis pedis a.

plantar arch
Figure 15.4 Arteries of the Head
and Neck

Figure 15.3 Major Arteries of the Body

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 anterior communicating a.
middle cerebral a. anterior cerebral a.

opthalamic a. posterior communicating a.

posterior cerebral a.
internal carotid a.
basilar a.

vertebral a.

Figure 15.5 Arteries Supplying the Brain

aortic arch

internal thoracic a.

bronchial aa.
esophageal aa.
intercostal a. mediastinal a.
pericardium a.
superior phrenic a.
thoracic aorta
inferior phrenic a. aortic hiatus
diaphragm celiac trunk
left gastric a.
adrenal a.
splenic a.
renal a. common hepatic a.

gonadal a.
superior mesenteric a.
lumbar a.
abdominal aorta
median sacral a.
common iliac a. inferior mesenteric a.

internal iliac a. external iliac a.

Figure 15.6 Arteries of the Torso

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 subclavian a.

axillary a.
circumflex humeral a.

deep brachial a.

brachial a.

ulnar collateral a.

radial a. Figure 15.7 Arteries of the Upper Limb

anterior interosseous a.

ulnar a. common iliac a.

external iliac a.
internal iliac a.
inguinal ligament lateral sacral a.
deep palmar arch
internal pudendal a.
superficial palmar arch
deep femoral a.
digital a. obturator
lateral femoral
circumflex a.

femoral a.

genicular a.

popliteal a.

anterior tibial a.
Figure 15.8 Arteries of the Lower Limb
posterior tibial a.

fibular a.

dorsalis pedis

dorsal arch

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4. Veins
• Identify and trace the path.
• Know which area of the body is drained of blood by the vein.

• Head, Neck, and Brain

o Superior sagittal sinus
o Internal jugular veins (L & R)
o External jugular veins (L & R)
o Vertebral vein
• Superior Vena Cava
o Brachiocephalic veins (L & R)
 Subclavian veins (L & R)
• Cephalic veins (L & R)
o Median cubital veins (L & R)
• Axillary veins (L & R)
o Basilic veins (L & R)
o Brachial veins (L & R)
 Radial veins (L & R)
 Ulnar veins (L & R)
 External jugular veins (L & R)
 Vertebral vein
 Internal jugular veins (L & R)
o Azygous vein
o Hemiazygous vein
 Intercostal veins
• Inferior Vena Cava
o Hepatic veins (L & R)
o Renal veins (L & R)
o Common iliac veins (L & R)
 External iliac veins (L & R)
 Internal iliac veins (L & R)
o Lumbar veins
o Gonadal veins (L & R)
• Lower Limb Branches
o External iliac vein
 Femoral vein
• Deep femoral vein
• Great saphenous vein
• Small saphenous vein
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 • Popliteal vein
o Fibular vein
o Posterior tibial vein
o Anterior tibial vein
o Dorsal pedis veins
• Hepatic Portal System
o Hepatic portal vein
 Inferior mesenteric vein
 Splenic vein
 Superior mesenteric vein

external jugular v. internal jugular v.

subclavian v.
brachiocephalic v.
axillary v.
cephalic v. superior vena cava
brachial v. intercostal vv.
basilic v.
hepatic v. inferior vena cava
renal v.
median cubital v. gonadal v.
radial v. lumbar vv.
median antebrachial v. right/left common iliac vv.
ulnar v.
external iliac v.
palmar venous arches internal iliac v.

digital vv. deep

femoral
femoral vein
great saphenous vein

popliteal v.

small saphenous vein posterior tibial v.

anterior tibial v.
fibular v.

plantar venous arch

dorsal venous arch

Figure 15.9 Major Veins of the Body

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superior sagittal sinus
inferior sagittal sinus

straight sinus
superficial temporal v.
occipital v.
cavernous sinus
transverse sinus
occipital sinus maxillary v.
sigmoid sinus facial v.
petrosal sinus
external jugular v.
internal jugular v.
vertebral v.

subclavian v.
axillary v.
superior vena cava

Figure 15.10 Veins of the Head and Neck

subclavian v.
axillary v.

cephalic v.

subscapular v.

brachial v.
basilic v.

median cubital v.

cephalic v.

radial v.
median antebrachial v.
basilic v.
ulnar v.

palmar venous arches

digital veins

Figure 15.11 Veins of the Upper Limb

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 vertebral v.
common iliac v.
internal jugular v.
superior vena cava external jugular v. internal iliac v.
external gluteal vv.
subclavian v.
iliac v. lateral sacral v.
mediastinal vv.
brachiocephalic v.
internal pudendal v.
axillary v. obturator
esophageal v.
cephalic v.
femoral v.
deep
internal thoracic v.
hemiazygos femoral femoral circumflex v.

azygos vein
intercostal vv. femoral v.
hepatic vv.
inferior vena cava
renal vv. great saphenous vein
phrenic vv.
gonadal vv.
adrenal vv.
popliteal v.
lumbar vv.

small saphenous vein

common iliac v.
anterior tibial v.
internal iliac v.
posterior tibial v.
external iliac v.

fibular v.
Figure 15.12 Veins of the Torso

dorsal venous arch

cystic v. digital veins

gallbladder right gastric v.

superior mesenteric v. splenic v.

Figure 15.13 Veins of
gastroepiploic v.
the
gastro-omental v.
pancreatic v. Lower Limb
pancreaticoduodenal v.
middle colic v.
right colic v. inferior mesenteric v.
ileocolic v. left colic v.
sigmoid v.
intestinal v.
superior rectal v.

Figure 15.14 Hepatic Portal Circulation

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5. Fetal Circulation
• Understand the path of fetal circulation and the associated structures
o Umbilical vein
o Umbilical arteries
o Ductus venosus
o Foramen ovale
o Ductus arteriosus

Figure 15.15 Fetal Circulation

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 Exercise 15: Terminology List
Blood Vessel Anatomy
Tunica interna (intima) Gonadal
Endothelium Inferior mesenteric
Basal lamina Common iliac
Tunica media External iliac
Smooth muscle Internal iliac
Elastic fibers Femoral
Tunica externa Deep femoral
Areolar CT Popliteal
Elastic artery Anterior tibial
Muscular artery Posterior tibial
Vein Fibular
Vasa vasorum Dorsalis pedis
Capillary Cerebral arterial circle
Anterior cerebral
Arteries Anterior communicating
Ascending aorta Middle cerebral
Coronary Posterior cerebral
Subclavian Posterior communicating
Vertebral Basilar
Axillary
Subscapular
Brachial
Radial
Ulnar Fetal Circulation
Common carotid Umbilical vein
External carotid Umbilical arteries
Superficial temporal Ductus venosus
Internal carotid Foramen ovale
Descending thoracic aorta Ductus arteriosus
Abdominal aorta
Celiac trunk
Common hepatic
Gastric
Splenic
Superior mesenteric
Renal

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Veins Hepatic Portal System
Superior sagittal sinus Inferior mesenteric
Internal jugular Splenic
External jugular Superior mesenteric
Vertebral Hepatic portal
Superior vena cava
Subclavian
Cephalic
Median cubital
Axillary
Basilic
Brachial
Radial
Ulnar
Azygous
Hemiazygous
Intercostal
Inferior vena cava
Hepatic
Renal
Common iliac
External iliac
Lumbar
Gonadal
Femoral
Deep femoral
Great saphenous
Small saphenous
Popliteal
Fibular
Posterior tibial
Anterior tibial
Dorsal pedis

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Additional Notes

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 Image Citations

Figure 15.1 Artery and Vein Comparison

• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.2 Branches of the Aorta
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.3 Major Arteries of the Body
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.4 Arteries of the Head and Neck
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.5 Arteries Supplying the Brain
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.6 Arteries of the Torso
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.7 Arteries of the Upper Limb
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.8 Arteries of the Lower Limb
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.9 Major Veins of the Body
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.10 Veins of the Head and Neck
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.11 Veins of the Upper Limb
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.12 Veins of the Torso
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology

179
Figure 15.13 Veins of the Lower Limb
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.14 Hepatic Portal Circulation
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 15.15 Fetal Circulation
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology

180