ARTERIES

General Characteristics
of Blood Vessels

The blood vessels of the body

form a closed delivery system
powered by the pumping heart.
The three major types of blood
vessels are arteries, capillaries
and veins.
The smallest arteries are called
arterioles; the smallest veins
are called venules.
The complex system of blood
vessels of the body is called
vascular system. It comprises
two basic circuits: pulmonary
circuit and systemic circuit.
Arteries are said to
“branch”, “diverge”,
“fork” “divide”
or “split”; veins are
said to “join”,
“merge”,
“converge”,
“unite”, or
“serve as
tributaries”.
Blood vessels are not
rigid tubes but
dynamic structures,
because they can
pulsate, constrict and
relax, even proliferate,
according to the
changing needs of the
body.
Conventionally, blood vessels carrying oxygen-rich
blood are depicted as red; whereas those transporting
oxygen-poor blood are depicted as blue, regardless of
blood vessel type
 ARTERIES

Arteries are vessels that carry

blood away from the heart.
Arteries carry oxygen-rich
(oxygenated blood) in systemic
circulation; oxygen-poor
(deoxygenated blood) in
pulmonary circulation.
Arteries and veins trend to run
together. In many places, arteries
and veins also run with nerves.
Arteries can be grouped into
arteries of systemic circulation
and arteries of pulmonary
circulation
Arteries of
Pulmonary
Circulation

The pulmonary circulation begins as oxygen-poor blood leaves the

right ventricle of the heart via the pulmonary trunk.
The pulmonary trunk exits the right ventricle anterior to the aorta,
ascends to the aorta’s left, and reaches the concavity of the aortic
arch, where it branches at a T-shaped divergence into the right and
left pulmonary arteries.
Each pulmonary artery penetrates the hilus of a lung and then
divides into several lobar arteries.
Within the lung, the
pulmonary arteries
branch along with
the bronchi.
As the branching
arteries decrease in
size, they become
arterioles and finally
the pulmonary
capillaries that
surround the
delicate air sacs
(lung alveoli).
Gas exchange occurs
across these
capillaries, and the
newly oxygenated
blood enters
venules and then
progressively
larger veins.
The largest venous tributaries of pulmonary veins form the superior
and inferior pulmonary veins, which exit the medial aspect of each
lung.
In the mediastinum, posterior to the heart, the four pulmonary veins
run horizontally, just inferior to the pulmonary arteries, and empty
into the left atrium.
 Arteries of Systemic Circulation
The systemic circulation
begins as oxygenated blood
leaves the left ventricle of the
heart via the aorta.
The aorta leaves the left
ventricle of the heart, arcs
superiorly, and then descends
along the bodies of the
vertebrae to the inferior part
of the abdomen.
Along this course, the aorta is
divided into the ascending
aorta, aortic arch and
descending aorta.
The descending aorta is
further divided into the
thoracic aorta in the
thorax and abdominal aorta
in the abdomen.
Along its course,
the aorta is divided
into the ascending
aorta, aortic arch
and descending
aorta.
The descending
aorta is further
divided into the
thoracic aorta in the
thorax and abdominal
aorta in the abdomen.
 Ascending Aorta

The ascending aorta

arises from the left
ventricle and
ascends posterior to
the pulmonary trunk.
It ascends to the right
of the pulmonary
trunk, and then
curves left to become
the aortic arch.
The only branches of the ascending aorta are the two
coronary arteries that supply the heart wall.
Aortic Arch

The aortic arch arcs

posteriorly and to the
left, lying posterior to
the manubrium of the
sternum.
Three arteries branch
from the aortic arch
and run superiorly.
From right to left,
they are: the
brachiocephalic
trunk, left common
carotid artery and
left subclavian artery.
 Beneath the tunica
externa of the aortic
arch, there are rich
nerve ending, which
serve as pressure
receptors to monitor
blood changes
within the aorta.
The aortic glomera,
chemical receptors,
are several
millet-shaped
structures. They
function to monitor
pH level of the blood,
and located below
the aortic arch, near
the ligamentum
arteriosum
The ligamentum arteriosum, a fibrous remnant of a fetal artery called
the ductus arteriosus, interconnects the aortic arch and the pulmonary
trunk.
 Descending Aorta
Continuing from the aortic
arch, the descending aorta
runs inferiorly. It has two
parts, the thoracic aorta
and the abdominal 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 pierces
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. The abdominal aorta ends at the level of
vertebra L4, where it divides into the right and left common iliac
arteries, which supply the pelvis and lower limbs.
 Aorta: thoracic aorta
ascending aorta aortic arch descending aorta
abdominal aorta

Left coronary a.

Right coronary a.

Left subclavian a.

Left common carotid a.

Brachiocephalic trunk

Summary to Aorta
Arteries supplied
the head & neck

The head and neck

are supplied mainly
by the common
carotid artery,
vertebral artery and
the branches of
the subclavian
artery —the
thyrocervical trunk,
and costocervical
trunk.
 1. Common
Carotid
Artery
The right common carotid
arises from the brachio-
cephalic trunk and the
left one from the aortic
arch directly.
Each common carotid
artery ascends through
the anterior neck just
lateral to the trachea.
At the superior border of
the larynx, each common
carotid ends by dividing
into an external and
internal carotid arteries.
At the bifurcation of the
common carotid artery,
there are also pressure
receptors, called the
carotis sinus. They
also function to monitor
blood pressure changes
within the common
carotid artery and internal

carotid artey.
In back of the bifurcation
of common carotid
artery, chemical
receptors that monitor
blood pH level also
exist, and are called the
carotid glomus.
 A. External Carotid Artery

The external carotid arteries

supply most tissues of the
head external to the brain
and orbit.
As each external carotid
ascends, it sends a branch
to the thyroid gland and
larynx (superior thyroid
artery), to the tongue
(lingual artery), to the skin
and muscles of the anterior
face (facial artery), and to
the posterior part of the
scalp (occipital artery).
Near the temporo-
mandibular joint, each
external carotid ends by
splitting into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.
The superficial temporal
artery ascends just
anterior to the ear and
supplies most of the
scalp.
The maxillary artery runs
anteriorly into the
maxillary bone by
passing through the
mastication muscles.
Along this way, it sends
branches to the upper
and lower teeth, the
cheeks, nasal cavity,
and muscles of
mastication.
 Middle Meningeal Artery
A clinically important branch of the maxillary artery is the middle
meningeal artery.
It enters the skull through the foramen spinosum and supplies the
broad inner surfaces of the parietal bone and squamous region of
the temporal bone, as well as the underlying dura mater.
Blows to the side of the head often tear this artery, producing an
intracranial hematoma that can compress the cerebrum and disrupt
brain function.
Lingual artery
 Branches
of External
Carotid a.
1. Superior
thyroid a.
2. Lingual a.
3. Facial a.
4. Superficial
temporal a.
5. Occipital a.
6. Posterior
auricular a.
7. Axillary a.
middle
meningeal a.
B. Internal Carotid Artery

The internal carotid

arteries supply the
orbits and most of the
cerebrum.
Each internal carotid
ascends through the
superior neck directly
lateral to the pharynx
and enters the skull
through the carotid
canal in the temporal
bone.
It runs medially through the petrous part of the temporal bone, runs
forward along the body of the sphenoid bone, and bends superiorly to
enter the sella turcica just posterior to the optic foramen. Here, it gives
off the ophthalmic artery to the eye and orbit and divides into the
anterior and middle cerebral arteries.
2. Vertebral Artery
It arises from the
subclavian arteries
at the root of the
neck.
It ascends through
the foramina in
the transverse
processes of
cervical vertebrae
C6 to C1 and enter
the skull through
the foramen
magnum.
Along the way, they
send branches to
the vertebrae
and cervical spinal
cord.
Within the cranium,
the right and left
vertebral arteries join
to form the unpaired
basilar artery, which
ascends along the
ventral midline of the
brain stem, sending
branches to the
cerebellum, pons,
and inner ear.
At the border of the
pons and midbrain,
it divides into a pair
of posterior cerebral
arteries, which
supply the occipital
lobes plus the inferior
and medial parts of the temporal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres.
 3. Thyrocervical Trunk

The thyrocervical trunk

arises from the
subclavian artery.
It sends two branches
posteriorly over the
scapula to help
supply the scapular
muscles.
Another branch of
the thyrocervical
trunk is the inferior
thyroid artery. This
artery passes
anteriorly to the
inferior part of the
thyroid gland .
Inferior
thyroid
artery
4. Costocervical Trunk

The costocervical
trunk arises from
the subclavian
artery and sends
a deep cervical
artery superiorly
into the deep
muscles of the
neck and a
branch inferiorly
to supply the two
most superior
intercostal spaces.
 Arteries Supplied the Upper Limb

The upper limb is supplied by arteries that arise from the subclavian
artery.
After giving off its branches to the neck, each subclavian artery runs
laterally onto the first rib, where it underlies the clavicle. From here,
the subclavian artery enters the axilla as the axillary artery.
Branches of Subclavian Artery

The branches of the

subclavian artery
are the:
vertebral artery,
thyrocervical trunk,
costocervical trunk,
internal thoracic artery.
 Axillary artery

The axillary artery is the continuation of the ubclavian artery, and

descends through the axilla.
It sends several branches to supply the axilla and shoulder.
 Brachial Artery

The brachial artery descends

along the medial side of the
humerus deep to the biceps
muscle and supplies the
anterior arm muscles.
The brachial artery crosses the
anterior aspect of the elbow
joint in the midline of the arm.
Immediately beyond the elbow
joint, the brachial artery splits
into the radial and ulnar
arteries, which descend
through the anterior aspect
of the forearm.
One major branch, the
deep artery of the arm,
wraps around the
posterior surface of the
humerus with the radial
nerve in the radial
groove and serves the
triceps muscle.
The brachial artery
crosses the anterior
aspect of the elbow
joint in the midline
of the arm, a site at
which its pulse is
easily felt, and
where one listens
when measuring
blood pressure.
 Radial Artery

The radial artery

descends along the
medial margin of the
brachioradialis,
supplying muscles
of the lateral anterior
forearm, the lateral
part of the wrist, and
the thumb and index
finger.
At the root of the
thumb, it lies very
near the surface and
provides a
convenient site for
taking the pulse.
For taking
the pulse
 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.
Proximally, it gives off a major branch
called the common interosseous
artery, which splits immediately into
anterior and posterior interosseous
arteries. These vessels descend
along the respective surfaces of the
interosseous membrane between the
radius and the ulna. The anterior
interosseous artery supplies the
deep flexor muscles, whereas the
posterior interosseous artery and
its branches supply all the extensors
on the posterior forearm.
 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 palmar arch underlies the skin and fascia of the
hand, whereas the deep palmar arch lies against the metacarpal
bones.
The digital arteries, which supply the fingers, branch from these
arches.
Superficial palmar arch
Superficial palmar arch and deep palmar arch
Summary of
Arteries of
upper limb
 Arteries
Supplied
the Thorax

1. Parietal Branches

The anterior thoracic

wall receives its blood
from the internal
thoracic artery.
The posterior thoracic
wall receives its blood
from the posterior
intercostal arteries.
 Internal Thoracic
Artery
The internal thoracic
artery branches from
the subclavian artery,
and descends along
the side of the
sternum, and just deep
to the costal cartilages.
After penetrating the
diaphragm, it becomes
the superior epigastric
artery.
It supplies the thoracic
wall, thymus,
pericardium,
diaphragm and
anterior abdominal
wall.
Internal
thoracic
artery
 Posterior Intercostal Arteries

All of the posterior intercostal

arteries branch from the
thoracic aorta, and run
anteriorly in the costal grooves
of their respective ribs.
In the lateral thoracic wall, they
anastomose with the anterior
intercostal arteries that arises
from the internal thoracic artery.
Inferior to the twelfth rib, one
pair of subcostal arteries
branches from the thoracic
aorta.
Finally, a pair of superior
phrenic arteries leaves the most
inferior part of the thoracic aorta
to supply the posterior, superior
part of the diaphragm.
 2. Visceral Branches

Many thoracic viscera receive

their functional blood supply
from small branches off the
thoracic aorta.
The bronchial arteries supply
oxygenated blood to the lungs.
The thoracic aorta also sends
several small branches to the
esophagus directly anterior to
it, as well as to the posterior
part of the mediastinum and
pericardium.
 Arteries
Supplied
Abdomen

The arteries to the

abdominal organs
arise from the
abdominal aorta.
In a person at rest,
about half of the
entire arterial flow
is present in
these vessels.
The branches of the
abdominal aorta are
divided into parietal
and visceral branches.

Parietal branches
inferior phrenic a.
lumbar aa.
median sacral a.

Visceral branches
paired
middle suprarenal a.
renal a.
gonadal a.
unpaired
celiac a.
superior mesenteric a.
inferior mesenteric a.
 1. Inferior
Phrenic
Arteries
The paired inferior
phrenic arteries
branch from the
abdominal aorta
at the level of
vertebra T12, just
inferior to the
aortic opening
(hiatus) in the
diaphragm.
These arteries
supply the inferior
surface of the
diaphragm.
 2. Lumbar
Arteries

Four pairs of lumbar

arteries arise from the
posterolateral surface
of the aorta in the
lumbar region.
These segmental
arteries run
horizontally to supply
the posterior
abdominal wall.
 3. Median
Sacral
Artery

The unpaired median

sacral artery issues
from the most inferior
part of the aorta.
As it descends, this
thin artery supplies
the sacrum and
coccyx along the
midline.
Paired Visceral Branches

1. Middle
Suprarenal
Artery
It emerges from the
sides of the aorta, at
L1, supply the adrenal
(suprarenal) gland.
The adrenal gland also
receive superior
suprarenal artery from
the nearby inferior
phrenic artery, and
inferior suprarenal
artery from the nearby
renal artery.
 2. Renal Artery

The paired renal arteries

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. So, the
transportation of
cellular wastes to the
kidney is an important
function of the vascular
system, and the renal
circulation is a major
functional subdivision
of the systemic circuit.
3. Gonadal Arteries 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.
The ovarian arteries
extend inferiorly into
the pelvis to serve the
ovaries and part of the
uterine tubes.
The longer testicular
arteries extend through
the pelvis to the
scrotum, where they
serve the testes.
Unpaired Visceral Branches

1. Celiac Trunk
The short, wide, unpaired
celiac trunk supplies the
viscera in the superior
part of the abdominal
cavity. Specifically, it
sends branches to the
stomach, liver, pancreas,
spleen, and a part of the
small intestine
(duodenum).
It emerges midventrally
from the aorta at the level
of T12 and divides almost
immediately into three
branches: the left gastric,
splenic, and common
hepatic arteries.
A. The left gastric artery runs superiorly and to the left, to the junction
of the stomach with the esophagus, where it gives off several
esophageal branches and descends along the lesser curvature of
the J-shaped stomach.
B. The splenic artery runs horizontally and to the left, posterior to the
stomach, to enter the spleen. Along the way, it passes superior to the
pancreas, sending branches to this organ. Near the spleen, it sends
several short gastric arteries superiorly to the stomach’s dome, and
sends a left gastroepiploic artery along the stomach’s greater
curvature.
C. The common hepatic artery is the only branch of the celiac trunk that
runs to the right. At the junction of the stomach with the duodenum,
this artery divides into an ascending branch, the hepatic artery proper,
and a descending branch, the gastroduodenal artery.
The hepatic artery
proper divides into
right and left
branches just
before entering the
liver; the cystic
artery to the
gallbladder usually
arises from the
right branch of the
hepatic artery.
The right gastric
artery, which can
arise either from
the hepatic artery
proper or from the
common hepatic
artery, runs along
the stomach’s lesser curvature from the right.
The gastroduodenal
artery, the
descending branch
of the common
hepatic artery, runs
inferiorly on the
head of the
pancreas.
It helps supply the
pancreas, plus the
nearby duodenum.
Its major branch, the
right gastroepiploic
artery, runs along
the stomach’s
greater curvature
from the right.
 2. Superior Mesenteric Artery

It serves most of the

intestines.
It arises midventrally
from the aorta, posterior
to the pancreas at the
level of L1. From there,
it runs inferiorly and
anteriorly to enter the
mesentery, a drape-like
membrane that
supports the long,
coiled parts of the
small intestine (the
jejunum and the ileum).
It angles gradually to the
right as it descends
through the mesentery.
From its left side arise
many jejunal arteries to
the jejunum and ileal
arteries to the ileum.
From its right side
emerge the ileocolic
artery to supply the
proximal half of the
large intestine: the
ascending colon,
cecum, and appendix;
and the right colic
artery to the ascending
colon and middle colic
artery to the transverse
colon.
 3. Inferior Mesenteric Artery

It is the final major

branch of the
abdominal aorta.
It arises
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.
Its branches are
the left colic,
sigmoidal, and
superior rectal
arteries.
Common Iliac Arteries At the level of L4, the
abdominal 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.
At the level of the
sacroiliac joint on the
pelvic brim, each
common iliac artery
forks into two branches:
the internal iliac artery,
which mainly supplies
the pelvic organs, and
the external iliac artery,
which supplies the
lower limb.
 Arteries
Supplied
Pelvis

The branches of internal iliac arteries supply blood to the pelvic

walls, pelvic viscera, buttocks, medial thighs, and perineum.
The superior and inferior gluteal arteries, which run posteriorly
to supply the gluteal muscles.
Superior gluteal a.

Inferior gluteal a.

Internal pudendal a.
The internal pudendal artery, which leaves the pelvic cavity to
supply the perineum and external genitalia.
Internal
pudendal
artery
The obturator artery, which descends through the obturator
foramen into the thigh adductor muscles.
The superior vesical arteries supply the urinary bladder.
The inferior rectal artery supplies blood to the inferior part
of the rectum.
In the female, each uterine artery branches from corresponding
internal iliac artery, then it turns medially and crosses
corresponding ureter lateral to the cervix of the uterus about 2 cm.
Each uterine artery ascends along the side of the uterus to supply
the uterus and uterine tube.
Arteries supplied
the Lower Limb

The external iliac artery

passes out of the pelvic
cavity deep to the
inguinal ligament and
becomes the femoral
artery to supply most
of the lower limb.
 Femoral Artery
The femoral artery descends vertically
through the thigh medial to the femur
and along the anterior surface of the
adductor muscles. Inferiorly, the
femoral artery passes through a gap
in the adductor magnus muscle
(the adductor hiatus) and emerges
posterior to the distal femur as the
popliteal artery.
Even though the superior part of the
femoral artery is enclosed in a tube
of dense fascia, it is relatively
superficial and not protected by any
overlying musculature. This lack of
protection makes the proximal
femoral artery a convenient place to
take a pulse, but it also makes it
susceptible to injury.
The largest branch of the
artery is the deep artery
of the thigh, which
passes inferiorlly and
posteriorlly.
Proximal branches of the
deep femoral artery are
the medial and lateral
circumflex femoral
arteries, which circle the
neck and upper shaft of
the femur. The medial
circumflex artery
supplies the head of the
femur, and if a fracture
of the femur tears this
artery, the bone tissue of
the head of the femur dies.
 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.
Just inferior to the
head of the fibula, the
popliteal artery splits
into the anterior and
posterior tibial
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.
At the ankle, it becomes the
dorsalis pedis artery
Dorsalis Pedis Artery

At the base of the

metatarsal bones, the
arcuate artery branches
from dorsalis pedis
artery and sends
smaller branches
distally along the
metatarsals.
The end part of dorsalis
pedis artery penetrates
into the sole, where it
forms the medial end of
the plantar arch.
The dorsalis pedis artery
is superficial and provides
a place to feel the pulse.
The absence of this pulse
can indicate that the
blood supply to the leg is
inadequate. Routine
checking of the pedal
pulse is indicated for
patients known to have
impaired circulation to
the legs and for those
recovering from surgery
to the leg or groin.
Anterior
tibial
artery
 Posterior Tibial Artery

The posterior tibial artery, which

descends through the posteromedial
part of the leg, lies directly deep to
the soleus.
Proximally, it gives off a large branch,
the fibular (peroneal) artery, which
descends along the medial aspect of
the fibula.
Together, the posterior tibial and
fibular arteries supply the flexor
muscles in the leg, and the fibular
arteries send branches to the
fibularis muscles.
Inferiorly, the posterior tibial
artery passes behind the
medial malleolus of the tibia.
On the medial side of the
foot, it divides into medial
and lateral plantar arteries.
These serve the sole, and
the lateral plantar artery
forms the lateral end of the
plantar arch.
Metatarsal and digital
arteries to the toes arise
from the plantar arch.
Summary
of arteries
of lower
limb
The arteries that
can be palpated
on body surface
 R. external R. Internal L. external L. Internal
Carotid A. carotid A. Carotid A. carotid A.
Thyrocervical
Internal
R.thoracic
Vertebral
trunk A.A. R. Common L. Common L. Vertebral A.
Carotid A. Carotid A.
R. Brachiocephalic L. Subclavian L. Axillary
Subclavian A. A. A. A.
Aortic arch

R. Axillary A. Ascending aorta

Thoracic aorta
L. and R.
coronary
Brachial A.
A. L.Ventricle of heart
Ulnar
A. Radial
A.

mediastina esophageal bronchial pericardial Posterior intercostals Superior phrenics

l
diaphragm
 diaphragm

Abdominal aorta
Viceral branches Parietal branches

Testicular Superior and Suprarenal Inferior

Celiac
Lumbar A. Median

trunk
or inferior A. and phrenic A sacral A.
ovarian A. Mesenterics Renal A.
A.

L. Common iliac A.
R. Common iliac A.
Femoral A.
Internal External
iliac A. iliac A.
Viceral branches Parietal branches
Popliteal A.

Posterior Arterior
tibial A. tibial A.
Umbilical uterine Internal pu Aobturator Superior Iliolumbar Lateral
A. A. dendal Peroneal
A. and inferior A. sacral A.
A. A. gluteal A. Dosal artery of foot