Blood Circulation

• What does the pulmonary circuit transport blood between?

  The heart and the lungs
• Where does the pulmonary circuit begin and end?

  Begins at right ventricle, ends at left atrium
• What does the systemic circuit transport blood between?

  Peripheral tissues and the heart
• Where does the systemic circuit begin and end?

  Begins at left ventricle, ends at right atrium
• What are the general patterns of vascular organization?

  1. Peripheral artery and vein distribution is the same on both sides, except near the heart.
  2. The same vessel may have different names in different locations.
  3. Corresponding arteries and veins usually follow the same path.
  4. Tissues and organs are served by multiple interconnected arteries and veins.
• What is the starting point of the pulmonary circulation?

  The pulmonary trunk
• What do the left and right pulmonary arteries carry?

  Deoxygenated blood to the lungs
• What occurs at the pulmonary capillaries?

  Gas exchange occurs
• What do pulmonary veins deliver to the left atrium?

  Oxygenated blood
• What is the largest systemic artery?

  Aorta
• Where does the ascending aorta begin?

  At the aortic valve of the left ventricle
• What arteries originate at the left and right aortic sinuses?

  Left and right coronary arteries
• What do the branches of the aortic arch deliver blood to?

  Head, neck, shoulders, and upper limbs
• What are the branches of the brachiocephalic trunk?

  • Right subclavian artery
  • Right common carotid artery
• What do the common carotid arteries divide into?

  External and internal carotid arteries
• What does the external carotid artery supply?

  Structures of the neck, lower jaw, and face
• What does the internal carotid artery deliver blood to?

  The brain
• What are the branches of the internal carotid artery?

  1. Ophthalmic artery
  2. Anterior cerebral artery
  3. Middle cerebral artery
• What does the brachial artery supply?

  Blood to the upper limb
• What does the radial artery follow?

  The radius to the wrist
• What does the ulnar artery follow?

  The ulna to the wrist
• What do the radial and ulnar arteries form at the wrist?

  • Superficial and deep palmar arches
  • Supply digital arteries to the fingers
• What is the cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis)?

  • Ring-shaped anastomosis
  • Interconnects internal carotid arteries and basilar artery
• Where do strokes most commonly occur?

  Middle cerebral artery
• What do vertebral arteries supply?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What do the branches of the basilar artery supply?

  The medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum
• What does the thoracic aorta supply?

  Tissues and organs of the chest
• What are the visceral branches of the thoracic aorta?

  • Bronchial arteries
  • Pericardial arteries
  • Esophageal arteries
  • Mediastinal arteries
• What are the paired branches of the abdominal aorta?

  1. Inferior phrenic arteries
  2. Adrenal arteries
  3. Renal arteries
  4. Gonadal arteries
  5. Lumbar arteries
• What are the unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta?


  1. Celiac trunk

  • Left gastric artery
  • Splenic artery
  • Common hepatic artery

  1. Superior mesenteric artery
  2. Inferior mesenteric artery
• What do the common iliac arteries deliver blood to?

  Abdominopelvic organs and structures
• What do the internal iliac arteries supply?

  • Urinary bladder
  • Walls of the pelvis
  • External genitalia
  • Medial thigh
  • Uterus and vagina
• What does the external iliac artery become in the thigh?

  Femoral artery
• What does the deep femoral artery supply?

  Ventral and lateral skin and deep muscles of the thigh
• What does the femoral artery become posterior to the knee?

  Popliteal artery
• What are the branches of the popliteal artery?

  • Anterior tibial artery
  • Posterior tibial artery
  • Fibular artery
• What do the medial and lateral plantar arteries connect to?

  • Dorsalis pedis artery
  • Form dorsal and plantar arches
• What does the superior vena cava receive blood from?

  Tissues and organs of the head, neck, and upper limbs
• What do dural sinuses receive blood from?

  Cerebral veins and small veins of the brainstem
• What are the major veins draining the brain?

  • Great cerebral vein
  • Transverse sinuses
  • Internal jugular vein
  • Vertebral veins