Arteries
Objective 6
Name and label the major arteries of the body.
You will use the diagrams given in this section to name all of the arteries listed on a diagram with the labels removed.
The Aorta and Its Branches
Note that the origin of the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery is different than for the left subclavian artery and left common carotid. The pattern shown here is typical; it is rare but possible to have a brachiocephalic trunk on the left side as well. The old name for the brachiocephalic artery is the innominate artery, which is weird, because “innominate” means “no name” and it clearly has one. It is also sometimes called the brachiocephalic trunk.
Once the descending aorta crosses the diaphragm muscle, it changes name from the thoracic aorta to the abdominal aorta. The first major branch of the abdominal aorta is the celiac trunk. The celiac trunk branches into arteries that supply the distal esophagus, stomach, second part of the duodenum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen. The superior mesenteric arteries supply part of the intestines (the name “mesenteric” means “pertaining to the middle of the intestines”). The inferior mesenteric arteries also supply the intestines. The renal arteries supply the kidneys, and the gonadal arteries supply the gonads.
The abdominal aorta ends by branching into two common iliac arteries, which will eventually become the right and left femoral arteries as they pass into the lower extremity.
The Aorta and Its Branches
Divisions of the Aorta
- Ascending aorta
- Aortic arch
- Descending aorta
- Thoracic aorta
- Abdominal aorta
Arteries that Branch Off the Thoracic Aorta (in order)
- Coronary artery (right and left)
- Brachiocephalic artery (typically only right)
- Right subclavian artery
- Right common carotid artery
- Left common carotid artery
- Left subclavian artery
Arteries that Branch Off the Abdominal Aorta (in order)
- Celiac trunk
- Superior mesenteric artery
- Renal artery
- Gonadal artery
- Inferior mesenteric artery
Terminal Branches of the Abdominal Aorta
- Common iliac artery
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The common carotid artery divides into the external carotid artery, which supplies the face; and the internal carotid artery, which supplies about 3/4 of the blood used by the brain.
The external carotid artery and its branches supply the face.
The internal carotid artery and its branches supply the brain. There is an organ called the carotid body at the root of the internal carotid artery. The carotid body detects the level of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ion (pH) in the blood, and supplies that information to the respiratory and cardiovascular centers so they can respond appropriately. (For example, if blood oxygen levels drop — hypoxemia — then it would be a good idea to increase the respiratory rate to get more oxygen into the blood.)
The internal carotid artery is the source of the anterior circulation of the brain.
The vertebral artery arises as