Blood circulation

• Blood vessels outside the heart are divided into two classes
• Pulmonary vessels transport blood from right ventricle through lungs and back to the left atrium
• Systemic vessels transport blood from left ventricle to the body and back to the right atrium
• Pulmonary vessels and systemic vessels constitutes the circulatory system
• Three main types of blood vessels are, Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins
• Blood flows from arterioles to capillaries, where gas exchange happen
• From capillaries, blood enters veins carrying deoxygenated blood
• Venules are the smallest type of vein
• Capillaries and venules have three layered blood vessels called tunics
• Tunica intima is the innermost layer made of endothelium
• Tunica media is the middle layer that consists of smooth muscle cells
• Tunica adventitia is adjacent to tunica media, and composed of dense connective tissue
• Elastic arteries are the largest diameter arteries, and have the thickest wall
• Muscular arteries are medium sized arteries
• Arterioles transport blood from arteries to capillaries
• Arterioles are the smallest form of arteries
• Blood flow through capillary network is regulated by pre-capillary sphincter
• All arteries from the systemic circulation branch from directly to the aorta
• The ascending aorta superiorly passes the left ventricle
• The aortic arch is responsible for supplying blood to the upper limbs
• Descending aorta is the longest part of the aorta
• The part of descending aorta that extends through the thorax to the diaphragm is called, thoracic aorta
• Arterial aneurysm is a localized dilation of arteries in response to trauma or congenital disease
• Atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up on the inner walls of arteries due to fatty deposits
• The subclavian artery transports blood to the right upper limbs
• Right common carotid supplies right side of head and neck
• Left common carotid artery transports blood to the left side of face and neck
• Left subclavian artery transports blood to the left upper limbs
• The base of each internal carotid artery slightly dilates to form carotid sinus, the plays a role as a baroreceptor and monitor blood pressure
• Cerebral arterial circle supply most blood to the brain and is from internal carotid artery
• Within the cranial activity, vertebral arteries unit to form a single basilar artery
• Basilar artery gives off branches that supply to the pons, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and midbrain
• Blood pressure measurements are taken from brachial artery
• Radial artery supplies forearm and hand
• The branches of thoracic aorta can be divided into, visceral arteries, and parietal arteries
• Superior phrenic arteries supply the diaphragm
• Anterior intercostal arteries supply the ribs
• The celiac artery of the abdomen supplies blood to, liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen, and upper duodenum
• The superior mesenteric artery supply blood to small intestine and large portion of the large intestine
• The inferior mesenteric artery supply blood to the remainder of the large intestine