Heart, Circulation, and Arterial System Anatomy
Nervous Control of Heart Contraction
This control is governed by the nervous system. Two groups of nerve fibers go to the heart:
- The vagus (parasympathetic) slows the heart rate.
- The sympathetic nerves accelerate the heart.
Vascularization of the Heart
Coronary Arteries
Right (CD); Left (core): circumflex (CX), anterior descending (DA).
Dominance Cardiac
Dominant coronary artery that gives the trunk of the posterior descending.
Veins
Sine coronary, anterior cardiac veins.
General Circulation
The blood is pumped from the heart through the vessels of distribution and then returns to it.
Arteries
These are the vessels leaving the heart and its branches:
- Pulmonary artery, leaving the RV and gives 2 branches.
- Aorta, leaves the LV and gives branches to the whole body.
Veins
These are the vessels that return blood to the heart.
Aorta
Its parts are:
Thoracic Aorta
- Ascending: measuring 5cm, and gives out the sixth coronary arteries.
- Aortic arch: (D4) gives 3 branches:
- Brachycephalic trunk (SD + CD)
- Left Carotid
- Left Subclavian
- Descending Aorta: gives intercostals.
Aortic Aneurysm
Has 7 main branches, going from D12 (under the diaphragm) to L4 (iliac). Next to the left of the vertebral bodies.
Branches of the Aortic Arch
Carotid
Splits into:
External Carotid Artery
- Facial artery
- Occipital artery
- Temporal Surface artery
- Maxillary artery (middle meningeal)
Internal Carotid Artery
- Ophthalmic artery
- Anterior Cerebral artery
- Cerebral Media artery
Subclavian
Axillary before becoming 3 branches:
- Spinal
- Thyrocervical trunk
- Internal Mammary
Circle of Willis
Communication between the carotid and vertebrobasilar system to ensure irrigation of the brain.
Arteries of the Upper Limb
Subclavian
Artery in the arm, this behind and below the collarbone.
Underarms
The continuation of the previous one and is on the edge of the armpit.
Humeral
It is very close to the humerus, the medial or inner side of the biceps.
Radial
Accompanies the lateral forearm bone, the radius. First is covered with muscles, and part of the wrist is superficial and palpable. Above is where we take the pulse.
Ulnar
Low along the inside of the forearm, along the ulna.
Palmar Arches
One arch is deep and one is superficial.
Digital Artery
Branches that arise from the palmar arches to the fingers.
Branches of the Abdominal Aorta
Celiac Trunk
Hepatic artery, Gastric artery, Splenic artery.
Superior and Inferior Mesenteric Artery
The Rioja arcade allows communication of blood between them.
Renal Arteries
Right and Left.
Right and Left Iliac Artery
Internal Iliac goes down to the pelvic cavity. In women, it gives rise to the uterine artery.
External Iliac
This is the main artery of the leg, the femoral artery.
Lower Limb Arteries
From the sacrum to the femur:
Aorta, iliac artery, internal iliac artery, external iliac artery, femoral artery.
From the femur down:
Femoral artery, Popliteal artery (up to knee), Anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, peroneal artery (behind the fibula), pedal artery (above the foot), plantar arch and digital arteries.
Distribution of the Veins
They end up in the right atrium.
Inferior Vena Cava
Collects venous branches: lower limb veins (S/P); veins (outside and inside the peritoneal cavity).
Superior Vena Cava
Collects venous branches: upper limb veins (S/P); veins of the head and neck (S/P); veins of the chest.
They end up in the left atrium.