Chapter 30, Problem 1.1BGL

Summary Introduction

To review: The arteries in Fig 30.1(a).

Introduction: The blood vessels that transport blood to the body tissues are known as arteries. The largest artery that is present in the body is the aorta. There are four sections in the aorta, namely, the aortic arch, ascending aorta, abdominal aorta, and thoracic aorta. The major arteries that branch off in the ascending aorta and in the aortic arch are the common carotid, subclavian, coronary, common hepatic, and other arteries.

Explanation of Solution

Right common carotid: The right common carotid artery is smaller than the left. It emerges from the brachiocephalic artery. It bifurcates and forms the right external and right internal carotid arteries.

Right subclavian: The subclavian arteries are the major arteries of the thorax. These are paired arteries that include the right and the left subclavian arteries. The right subclavian artery is the blood vessel that emerges from the brachiocephalic trunk’s division.

Brachiocephalic trunk: The brachiocephalic trunk is one of the major arteries of the aortic arch. It transports blood to the head, right arm, and neck. It divides and forms two arteries, namely, the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries.

Ascending aorta: The ascending aorta starts at the left semilunar valve. The branches that emerge from the ascending aorta are the coronary arteries, which include the right and left coronary arteries.

Right coronary: The right coronary artery is one of the branches of the ascending aorta. It branches near the origin of the ascending aorta and runs to the heart.

Intercostal artery: It is a group of blood vessels that direct blood flow to the intercostal space that is present within the ribs.

Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a muscular structure that divides the descending aorta into two sections, namely, the abdominal aorta and the thoracic aorta. It appears to be dome shaped. The foremost muscle of respiration is the diaphragm.

Celiac trunk: It emerges from the abdominal aorta. It transports blood to the spleen, esophagus, liver, stomach, parts of duodenum, and pancreas. It divides and forms three major branches, namely, the common hepatic artery, splenic artery, and left gastric artery.

Common hepatic: It transports blood to the pancreas, pylorus, liver, and duodenum. It divides and gives rise to three branches, namely, the gastroduodenal, right gastric, and hepatic arteries.

Right suprarenal: It is one of the branches of the abdominal aorta. It branches at the level of L1.

Right renal: Renal arteries are paired arteries that transport blood to the kidneys. The right renal artery transports blood to the right kidney. It emerges from the abdominal aorta.

Right gonadal: Gonadal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta’s anterior surface. It is present on the right and left sides of the body. In females, the main gonadal artery is the ovarian artery, and it transports blood to the ovary, whereas in males, it is the testicular artery that transports blood to the testes.

Internal iliac: The internal iliac artery is smaller, and its length is approximately 4 cm. The internal iliac artery further divides and forms the anterior and the posterior trunk. It transports blood to pelvic organs, such as the urinary bladder, women’s uterus and vagina, and men’s prostate gland.

External iliac: The external iliac artery transports blood to the leg. The external iliac artery is larger than the internal iliac artery. It runs down along the muscle called the psoas major, and when it reaches the thigh, it becomes the femoral artery.

Femoral: The largest artery that is present in the thigh is the femoral artery. It transports blood to the lower portion of the body. The femoral artery crosses the femoral vein and the femoral nerve and thereby forms a femoral triangle close to the groin region.

Left common carotid: The common carotid arteries transport blood to the head and neck. The common carotid artery is present on either side. The left common carotid artery is on the left side. The origin of the left common carotid is from the aortic arch.

Left subclavian: The left subclavian artery is the third blood vessel that emerges from the aortic arch. It emerges beneath the left common carotid artery. It transports blood to the left arm.

Aortic arch: The aortic arch is a curve that is present amid the ascending aorta and the descending aorta. It is also termed as an arch of the aorta. It is the extension of the ascending aorta. The three branches that emerge from the aortic arch include the left subclavian artery, left common carotid artery, and brachiocephalic trunk.

Left coronary: It branches near the origin of the ascending aorta and runs to the heart.

Thoracic aorta: The thoracic aorta is an extension of the aortic arch. There are several branches that emerge from the thoracic aorta, and these branches transport blood to the thoracic structures.

Left gastric: The left gastric artery is one of the branches of the celiac trunk and is the smallest among the three branches of the celiac trunk. It transports blood to the stomach’s lower curvature.

Left suprarenal: It is one of the branches of the abdominal aorta. It travels toward the left kidney.

Splenic: The splenic artery transports blood to the spleen. It also has some branches that transport blood to the pancreas and the stomach. The three branches of the splenic artery are the short gastric, left gastroepiploic, and pancreatic arteries.

Superior mesenteric: The superior mesenteric artery emerges from the abdominal aorta’s anterior surface just below the celiac trunk. It transports blood to the midgut.

Left renal: Renal arteries are paired arteries that transport blood to the kidneys. The left renal artery transports blood to the left kidney. It is present behind the pancreas body, splenic vein, and left renal vein. It is somewhat higher than the right renal artery.

Left gonadal: Gonadal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta’s anterior surface. It is present on the right and left sides of the body.

Abdominal aorta: The largest blood vessel that is present in the abdominal cavity is the abdominal aorta. It is in continuity with the thoracic aorta. The abdominal aorta transports blood to abdomen, lower extremities, and pelvis.

Inferior mesenteric: The inferior mesenteric artery emerges from the abdominal aorta. It emerges at L3 near the duodenum’s inferior border. It transports blood to the hindgut.

Left common iliac: The left common iliac artery runs downward and further divides and forms the left external and left internal iliac arteries.