CV 9 Circulation

Question 1

What is the primary difference between the pulmonary and systemic circuits?

Answer 1

The pulmonary circuit transports deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for gas exchange and returns oxygenated blood to the left side.
The systemic circuit transports that oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body’s tissues and returns deoxygenated blood to the right side.

Question 2

How do arteries and veins differ in their direction of flow?

Answer 2

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood toward the heart.

Question 3

Which arteries are the first to branch off from the aorta?

Answer 3

The coronary arteries, which supply the heart tissue itself.

Question 4

What are the main branches of the aortic arch?

Answer 4

The brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.

Question 5

How is blood supplied to the brain?

Answer 5

Blood reaches the brain via the internal carotid arteries (which supply deep brain structures) and the vertebral arteries (which supply the brainstem and posterior brain).

Question 6

What are the major arteries of the arm?

Answer 6

The subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery, then the brachial artery. At the elbow, it divides into the radial artery (thumb side) and the ulnar artery (pinky side).

Question 7

What are the three main branches of the celiac trunk?

Answer 7

The left gastric artery (stomach), the splenic artery (spleen), and the common hepatic artery (liver and gallbladder).

Question 8

Which arteries supply the intestines?

Answer 8

The superior mesenteric artery supplies the small intestine and the first two-thirds of the large intestine. The inferior mesenteric artery supplies the final third of the large intestine.

Question 9

What are the major arteries of the leg?

Answer 9

The external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery. Behind the knee, it becomes the popliteal artery, which then branches into the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and fibular arteries.

Question 10

Where does blood from the brain drain?

Answer 10

It drains into the superior sagittal sinus and other dural sinuses, which ultimately lead into the internal jugular vein.

Question 11

Which vein is most commonly used for blood draws (venipuncture)?

Answer 11

median cubital vein

Question 12

What are the two major veins that return blood to the right atrium?

Answer 12

The superior vena cava (drains the head, neck, and arms) and the inferior vena cava (drains the lower body and abdominal organs).

Question 13

What is the longest superficial vein in the leg?

Answer 13

The great saphenous vein, which is often involved in the formation of varicose veins.

Question 14

What is a portal system?

Answer 14

A portal system occurs when blood flows through two consecutive capillary networks before returning to the heart.

Question 15

What is the function of the Hepatic Portal System?

Answer 15

It carries nutrient-rich, deoxygenated blood from the digestive organs (stomach and intestines) directly to the liver. This allows the liver to process nutrients and filter toxins before the blood enters the general systemic circulation.