Fatima Adam
Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System (Anatomy)
This session will introduce you to the anatomy of the cardiovascular system, in particular the heart and great vessels of the body, and an overview of peripheral vasculature. A pre-recorded lecture is provided for you to introduce the learning objectives and direct you through these. You will need to explore the additional recommended resources to assist in your learning. Why it is important: The heart is the central pump of the circulatory system, and, with the great vessels, is one of the major contents of the thorax and abdomen. The heart is investigated routinely in a number of ways (e.g. listening to heart valves, cardiograms) and is a feature of all images of the chest. It is also the site of many common disease processes. Thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the heart and great vessels, and the flow of blood through them, is essential in understanding, interpreting images and interventions in this region. Session resources: Learning Objectives: Describe the flow of blood through the pulmonary and systemic circulations (covered in lecture). Describe the structural and functional anatomy of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins and venules (covered in lecture). Describe the chambers of the heart and the major blood vessels of the body (covered in lecture). Describe the major surface anatomical structures such as the sternum, ribs, and clavicles in relation to the heart and mediastinum (covered in practical).
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What are the main responsibilities of the cardiovascular system? (2)
Responsible for transporting blood around the body.
Facilitates gas exchange in the lungs.
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What are the components of the cardiovascular system?
🍀Heart
🍀Blood vessels
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Describe the two main circulations in the cardiovascular system.
Pulmonary circulation: Responsible for gas exchange in the lungs.
Systemic circulation: Serves the rest of the body.
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How does hydrostatic pressure differ between pulmonary and systemic circulation?
Pulmonary circulation: Low hydrostatic pressure.
Systemic circulation: High hydrostatic pressure.
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What are the three main features of the vascular tree from proximal (heart) to distal (extremities)?
🍀Arteries increase in number.
🍀Arteries decrease in diameter.
🍀Walls of arteries decrease in thickness.
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Describe the change in the number of arteries along the vascular tree from the heart to the extremities.
Arteries increase in number from proximal (heart) to distal (extremities).
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How does the diameter of arteries change along the vascular tree from the heart to the extremities?
Arteries decrease in diameter from proximal (heart) to distal (extremities).
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Explain the change in the thickness of artery walls along the vascular tree from the heart to the extremities.
Walls of arteries decrease in thickness from proximal (heart) to distal (extremities).
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What are the main classes of blood vessels?
🍀Arteries
🍀Arterioles
🍀Capillaries
🍀Venules
🍀Veins
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What is the primary function of arteries in the cardiovascular system?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
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What are arterioles, and where do they fit in the vascular system?
Arterioles are the smallest branches of arteries.
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Describe the function of capillaries and their role in the circulatory system.
🍀Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels.
🍀They facilitate the exchange of substances between blood and interstitial fluid.
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What are venules, and what is their function in the circulatory system?
Venules are vessels that collect blood from capillaries.
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What role do veins play in the cardiovascular system?
Veins return blood to the heart.
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Describe the flow of deoxygenated blood in the right side of the heart.
1) Enters right atrium.
2) Travels through tricuspid valve.
3) Enters right ventricle.
4) Travels through pulmonary valve and into pulmonary trunk.
5) Blood is oxygenated in the lungs.
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What are the steps of the circulation of oxygenated blood in the left side of the heart?
1) Enters left atrium.
2) Travels through bicuspid valve.
3) Enters left ventricle.
4) Travels through aortic valve, into the aorta, and is pumped around the body.
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What are the origins of the subclavian arteries?
Right subclavian artery: Arises from the brachiocephalic trunk.
Left subclavian artery: Arises directly from the aortic arch.
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Picture demonstrating the heart and great blood vessels:
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Picture demonstrating regions of the aorta:
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At what anatomical landmark does the subclavian artery become the axillary artery?
The subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib.
REMEMBER S-A-B
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Describe a method to stop bleeding from the subclavian artery in an emergency situation.
In an emergency, the subclavian artery can be compressed against the first rib to stop bleeding.
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How is the axillary artery divided based on its relationship to the pectoralis minor muscle?
Proximal part: Lies superior to the pectoralis minor muscle.
Posterior part: Passes posteriorly to the pectoralis minor muscle.
Distal part: Lies inferior to the pectoralis minor muscle
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What marks the transition of the axillary artery into the brachial artery?
The axillary artery becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of the teres major muscle.
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Describe the path of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa.
The brachial artery travels deep to the bicipital aponeurosis in the cubital fossa.
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What occurs to the brachial artery in the cubital fossa?
The brachial artery bifurcates into the radial artery and ulnar artery in the cubital fossa.
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What are the clinical uses of the radial artery?
🍀Pulse
🍀Coronary artery bypass
🍀Allen's test
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Why is the median cubital vein preferred for venepuncture?
The median cubital vein runs superficially to the bicipital aponeurosis, thereby protecting arteries and nerves when drawing blood.
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What are some key features of the common iliac artery?
🍀Length: Approximately 13 cm.
🍀Origin: Arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of T12, specifically at the aortic hiatus.
🍀Termination: Typically terminates at the level of L4.
🍀Bifurcation: It bifurcates into the internal iliac artery and external iliac artery.
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What are the contents of the femoral triangle, listed from lateral to medial?
🍀Femoral nerve
🍀Femoral artery
🍀Femoral vein
🍀Deep inguinal lymph nodes
REMEMBER N-A-V-ILN
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What happens to the external iliac artery in the femoral triangle?
The external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery to supply the lower limbs.
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What is the largest branch of the femoral artery?
Profunda femoris, also known as the deep femoral artery.
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Describe the course of the popliteal artery.
The popliteal artery travels across the popliteal fossa and eventually bifurcates into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
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What is the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal fossa is the region posterior to the knee joint.
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What are the contents of the popliteal fossa, listed from superficial to deep?
1)Tibial nerve
2)Common fibular nerve
3)Popliteal vein
4)Popliteal artery
5)Small saphenous vein
6)Popliteal lymph nodes
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Name these arteries of the forearm and hand
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Name these Superficial Veins of Upper Limb:
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Name these parts of the abdominal aorta:
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Name the parts of the femoral artery
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Name the arteries of the leg
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Picture demonstrating lower limb pulses
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What are the characteristics of the Great Saphenous Vein? (3)
🍀Drains into deep femoral vein.
🍀Considered the longest vein in the body.
🍀Runs on the medial side of the lower limb, passing anterior to the ankle and posterior to the knee.
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Describe the path of the Small Saphenous Vein. (2)
🍀Ascends on the posterior side of the leg.
🍀Drains into the deep popliteal vein in the fossa.
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What does 'fossa' mean?
"Fossa" in anatomy refers to a depression or hollow area in a bone or anatomical structure.
