Anatomy of cardiovascular system

1. Great blood vessels
Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mosaed

2. Aorta
• The aorta is the main arterial trunk that
delivers oxygenated blood from the left
ventricle of the heart to the tissues of
the body.
• It is divided into the following parts:
• Ascending aorta,
• Arch of the aorta,
• Descending thoracic aorta,
• Abdominal aorta.

4. Ascending Aorta
• Beginning: The ascending aorta begins at the base of
the left ventricle and runs upward and forward
• Termination: behind the right half of the sternum at
the level of the sternal angle, where it becomes
continuous with the arch of the aorta.
• The sinuses of the aorta, three bulges at root of the
ascending aorta, one behind each aortic valve cusp.
• Branches of the ascending aorta:
• The right coronary artery arises from the anterior
aortic sinus.
• The left coronary artery arises from the left posterior
aortic sinus.

5. Arch of the Aorta
• The arch of the aorta is a continuation of the ascending
aorta.
• It lies behind the manubrium sterni and arches upward,
backward, and to the left in front of the trachea.
• It then passes downward to the left of the trachea and, at
the level of the sternal angle, becomes continuous with the
descending aorta.
• Branches:
• The brachiocephalic artery: It divides into the right
subclavian and right common carotid arteries.
• The left common carotid artery.
• The left subclavian artery.

8. Descending Thoracic Aorta
• The descending thoracic aorta lies in the posterior mediastinum
and
• Beginning: it begins as a continuation of the arch of the aorta
opposite the sternal angle.
• It runs downward in the posterior mediastinum, inclining forward
and medially to reach the anterior surface of the vertebral
column.
• Termination: At the level of the 12th
thoracic vertebra, it passes
through the aortic opening of the diaphragm and becomes
continuous with the abdominal aorta.
• Branches:
• The Posterior intercostal arteries (from 3-11).
• The Subcostal arteries.
• The Pericardial, esophageal, and bronchial arteries.

10. Large Veins
Brachiocephalic Veins:
•The right brachiocephalic vein is formed at the root of
the neck by the union of the right subclavian and the
right internal jugular veins.
•The left brachiocephalic vein has a similar origin. It
passes obliquely downward and to the right behind the
manubrium sterni and in front of the large branches of
the aortic arch.
•The right brachiocephalic joins the left
brachiocephalic vein to form the superior vena cava.

13. Superior Vena Cava
• The superior vena cava contains all the venous blood
from the head and neck and both upper limbs and
• It is formed by the union of the two brachiocephalic
veins.
• It passes downward to end in the right atrium of the
heart.
• The vena azygos joins the posterior aspect of the
superior vena cava just before it enters the
pericardium.

16. Inferior Vena Cava
• Beginning: it begins as the
left and right common iliac
veins which join together at
about the level of L5
• The inferior vena cava
pierces the central tendon
of the diaphragm opposite
the eighth thoracic vertebra
and almost immediately
enters the lowest part of the
right atrium

17. Pulmonary Veins
• Two pulmonary veins leave each lung
carrying oxygenated blood to the left atrium of
the heart