LAB 13
BLOOD VESSELS
Objective: To observe and identify the histological structures common to blood vessels and to note
the differences between vessel types. To identify major arteries and veins and learn the areas they
supply. Review structures and terms associated with blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.
A. Artery and Vein Structure
Observe and prepared slide of an artery and vein. Draw what you see and identify the regions listed below. Note the
major differences between the structure of an artery and a vein.
1.
Artery
a.
b.
c.
2.
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica adventitia
Vein
a.
b.
c.
3.
Drawing
Drawing
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica adventitia
Other Structures
a.
Nerve
i.
ii.
b.
Drawing
Axons
Fascicles
Vasa vasorum
QUESTIONS
1.
Which tunic is notably thicker in arteries compared to veins?
2.
What is an elastic artery? How does the structure of an elastic artery differ from a typical artery? Give two
examples of elastic arteries in the human.
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3.
Most of the arteries we are studying are _____________________ arteries.
4.
Another name for the tunica intima is _____________________________.
5.
What is a lumen? What type of vessel generally has the largest lumen?
6.
What is a capillary? What is its function?
7.
What is the purpose of a precapillary sphincter?
B. Cat Dissection
Dissect your cat and locate the major vessels listed below. Learn the regions supplied by each major artery.
Circle of Willis (arteries)
Brachial (a, v)
Renal (a, v)
Common carotid (a)
Radial and ulnar (a, v)
Gonadal (a, v)
External and Internal carotid (a)
Cephalic (v)
Superior mesenteric (a)
Internal jugular (v) [larger in humans]
Basilic (v) [not in cat]
Inferior mesenteric (a)
External jugular (v) [larger in cats]
Celiac trunk (a)
External iliac (a, v)
Thoracic and abdominal aorta (a)
Celiac trunk (a) branches:
Internal iliac (a, v)
Aortic arch (a)
(L) Gastric
Common iliac (a, v) [no artery in cat]
Superior vena cava (v)
Splenic
Femoral (a, v)
Inferior vena cava (v)
Hepatic
Greater Saphenous (v)
Azygos (v)
Hepatic portal system:
Brachiocephalic (a, v)
Hepatic portal (v)
Subclavian (a, v)
Superior mesenteric (v)
Axillary (a, v)
Inferior mesenteric (v)
Popliteal (a, v)
Anterior and posterior tibial (a, v)
QUESTIONS
1.
How do the arteries branching from the aortic arch differ in the human and the cat?
2.
Name the vessels or structures with the following functions:
a) Returns blood from trunk and lower extremities to heart 
b) Supplies the small intestine and proximal colon with blood 
c) Network of anastamoses supplying the brain 
d) Branch of abdominal aorta supplying lower limbs (via femoral artery) 
e) Supplies the stomach, liver and spleen via branches 
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f)
Returns blood from thoracic regions to SVC 
g) Supplies distal colon 
3.
What is an anastamosis? What is the advantage of having anastamoses?
4.
What is a pulse? (Explain what causes it)
5.
What type of vessels has valves? Why do these vessels need valves when the other vessels don’t?
C. Label the Major Arteries (on the next page)
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
9
11
12
14
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
21
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D. Label the Hepatic Portal System Structures
1
2
3
4
5
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