List of subjects in Gray's Anatomy: VI. The Arteries

Template:Infobox Artery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

The aorta (generally pronounced eɪˈɔːtə or “ay-orta”) is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation.

The aorta is usually divided into five segments/sections ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}  :

• Ascending aorta — the section between the heart and the arch of aorta
• Arch of aorta — the peak part that looks somewhat like an inverted “U”
• Descending aorta — the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the common iliac arteries
  • Thoracic aorta — the half of the descending aorta above the diaphragm
  • Abdominal aorta — the half of the descending aorta below the diaphragm

The aorta is an elastic artery, and as such is quite distensible. When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands. This stretching gives the potential energy that will help maintain blood pressure during diastole, as during this time the aorta contracts passively.

• Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
• Aortic aneurysm – myotic, bacterial (e.g. syphilis), senile, genetic, associated with valvular heart disease
  • Dissecting aortic aneurysm
• Aortic coarctation – pre-ductal, post-ductal
• Atherosclerosis
• Marfan syndrome
• Trauma, such as traumatic aortic rupture, most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery^[5] and frequently quickly fatal^[6]

• Template:GraySubject – Descending aorta
• Template:GraySubject – Abdominal aorta
• Cleveland Clinic Webchat – Aorta Surgery Webchat with Dr. Lars Svensson

Template:Arteries of chest Template:Arteries of abdomen

ar:الشريان الأبهر ast:Aorta bg:Аорта ca:Aorta da:Aorta de:Aorta el:Αορτή eo:Aorto eu:Aorta ko:대동맥 hr:Aorta id:Aorta it:Aorta he:אב העורקים la:Aorta lt:Aorta hu:Aorta ms:Aorta nl:Aorta no:Aorta nn:Livpulsåre nds:Aorta sq:Aorta sk:Srdcovnica sr:Аорта fi:Aortta sv:Aorta uk:Аорта

Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Arteries are muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.^[1] All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood.

The circulatory system is extremely important for sustaining life. Its proper functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, maintenance of optimum pH, and the mobility of the elements, proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction and stroke each may directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration. (See atherosclerosis).

The arterial system is the higher-pressure portion of the circulatory system. Arterial pressure varies between the peak pressure during heart contraction, called the systolic pressure, and the minimum, or diastolic pressure between contractions, when the heart rests between cycles. This pressure variation within the artery produces the pulse which is observable in any artery, and reflects heart activity.

The outermost layer is known as the tunica externa formerly known as “tunica adventitia” and is composed of connective tissue. Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is made up of mainly endothelial cells. The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen.

There are several types of arteries in the body:

The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood that has just returned from the body to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.

Systemic arteries deliver blood to the arterioles, and then to the capillaries, where nutrients and gasses are exchanged.

The aorta is the root systemic artery. It receives blood directly from the left ventricle of the heart via the aortic valve. As the aorta branches, and these arteries branch in turn, they become successively smaller in diameter, down to the arteriole. The arterioles supply capillaries which in turn empty into venules.

Arterioles, the smallest of the true arteries, help regulate blood pressure and deliver blood to the kidneys (capillaries).

Arterioles have the greatest collective influence on both local blood flow and on overall blood pressure. They are the primary “adjustable nozzles” in the blood system, across which the greatest pressure drop occurs. The combination of heart output (cardiac output) and systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body’s arterioles, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment.

The capillaries are where all of the important exchanges happen in the circulatory system. The capillaries are a single cell thick to aid fast and easy diffusion of gases, sugars and other nutrients to surrounding tissues.

To withstand and adapt to the pressures within, arteries are surrounded by varying thicknesses of smooth muscle which have extensive elastic and inelastic connective tissues.

The pulse pressure, i.e. Systolic vs. Diastolic difference, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries.

Over time, elevated arterial blood sugar (see Diabetes Mellitus), lipoprotein cholesterol, and pressure, smoking, and other factors are all involved in damaging both the endothelium and walls of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis or Diabetes Mellitus.

Among the ancient Greeks, the arteries were considered to be “air holders” that were responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and were connected to the trachea. This theory presumably arose from the fact that the arteries are empty after death: the last beat of the heart pushes the blood through the capillaries and into the veins.

In medieval times, it was recognized that arteries carried a fluid, called “spiritual blood” or “vital spirits”, considered to be different from the contents of the veins. This theory went back to Galen. In the late medieval period, the trachea,^[2] and ligaments were also called “arteries”.^[3]

William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century.

Alexis Carrel at the beginning of 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was before limited to vessels permanent ligatation.

• Peripheral arteries
• Arterial tree
• Blood

Template:Arteries of head and neck Template:Arteries of upper limbs Template:Arteries of chest Template:Arteries of abdomen Template:Arteries of lower limbs

ar:شريان ca:Artèria cy:Rhydweli da:Arterie de:Arterie el:Αρτηρία eo:Arterio eu:Arteria fa:سرخرگ ko:동맥 hr:Arterija id:Pembuluh nadi is:Slagæð it:Arteria he:עורק ku:Xwînber la:Arteria lv:Artērijas lt:Arterija hu:Artéria ms:Arteri mk:Артерија nl:Slagader no:Arterie nn:Pulsåre sq:Arteria simple:Artery sk:Tepna sl:Arterija fi:Valtimo (anatomia) sv:Artär ta:தமனி uk:Артерії

Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Arteries are muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.^[1] All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood.

The circulatory system is extremely important for sustaining life. Its proper functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, maintenance of optimum pH, and the mobility of the elements, proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction and stroke each may directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration. (See atherosclerosis).

The arterial system is the higher-pressure portion of the circulatory system. Arterial pressure varies between the peak pressure during heart contraction, called the systolic pressure, and the minimum, or diastolic pressure between contractions, when the heart rests between cycles. This pressure variation within the artery produces the pulse which is observable in any artery, and reflects heart activity.

The outermost layer is known as the tunica externa formerly known as “tunica adventitia” and is composed of connective tissue. Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is made up of mainly endothelial cells. The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen.

There are several types of arteries in the body:

The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood that has just returned from the body to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.

Systemic arteries deliver blood to the arterioles, and then to the capillaries, where nutrients and gasses are exchanged.

The aorta is the root systemic artery. It receives blood directly from the left ventricle of the heart via the aortic valve. As the aorta branches, and these arteries branch in turn, they become successively smaller in diameter, down to the arteriole. The arterioles supply capillaries which in turn empty into venules.

Arterioles, the smallest of the true arteries, help regulate blood pressure and deliver blood to the kidneys (capillaries).

Arterioles have the greatest collective influence on both local blood flow and on overall blood pressure. They are the primary “adjustable nozzles” in the blood system, across which the greatest pressure drop occurs. The combination of heart output (cardiac output) and systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body’s arterioles, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment.

The capillaries are where all of the important exchanges happen in the circulatory system. The capillaries are a single cell thick to aid fast and easy diffusion of gases, sugars and other nutrients to surrounding tissues.

To withstand and adapt to the pressures within, arteries are surrounded by varying thicknesses of smooth muscle which have extensive elastic and inelastic connective tissues.

The pulse pressure, i.e. Systolic vs. Diastolic difference, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries.

Over time, elevated arterial blood sugar (see Diabetes Mellitus), lipoprotein cholesterol, and pressure, smoking, and other factors are all involved in damaging both the endothelium and walls of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis or Diabetes Mellitus.

Among the ancient Greeks, the arteries were considered to be “air holders” that were responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and were connected to the trachea. This theory presumably arose from the fact that the arteries are empty after death: the last beat of the heart pushes the blood through the capillaries and into the veins.

In medieval times, it was recognized that arteries carried a fluid, called “spiritual blood” or “vital spirits”, considered to be different from the contents of the veins. This theory went back to Galen. In the late medieval period, the trachea,^[2] and ligaments were also called “arteries”.^[3]

William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century.

Alexis Carrel at the beginning of 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was before limited to vessels permanent ligatation.

• Peripheral arteries
• Arterial tree
• Blood

Template:Arteries of head and neck Template:Arteries of upper limbs Template:Arteries of chest Template:Arteries of abdomen Template:Arteries of lower limbs

ar:شريان ca:Artèria cy:Rhydweli da:Arterie de:Arterie el:Αρτηρία eo:Arterio eu:Arteria fa:سرخرگ ko:동맥 hr:Arterija id:Pembuluh nadi is:Slagæð it:Arteria he:עורק ku:Xwînber la:Arteria lv:Artērijas lt:Arterija hu:Artéria ms:Arteri mk:Артерија nl:Slagader no:Arterie nn:Pulsåre sq:Arteria simple:Artery sk:Tepna sl:Arterija fi:Valtimo (anatomia) sv:Artär ta:தமனி uk:Артерії

Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Arteries are muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.^[1] All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood.

The circulatory system is extremely important for sustaining life. Its proper functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, maintenance of optimum pH, and the mobility of the elements, proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction and stroke each may directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration. (See atherosclerosis).

The arterial system is the higher-pressure portion of the circulatory system. Arterial pressure varies between the peak pressure during heart contraction, called the systolic pressure, and the minimum, or diastolic pressure between contractions, when the heart rests between cycles. This pressure variation within the artery produces the pulse which is observable in any artery, and reflects heart activity.

The outermost layer is known as the tunica externa formerly known as “tunica adventitia” and is composed of connective tissue. Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is made up of mainly endothelial cells. The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen.

There are several types of arteries in the body:

The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood that has just returned from the body to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.

Systemic arteries deliver blood to the arterioles, and then to the capillaries, where nutrients and gasses are exchanged.

The aorta is the root systemic artery. It receives blood directly from the left ventricle of the heart via the aortic valve. As the aorta branches, and these arteries branch in turn, they become successively smaller in diameter, down to the arteriole. The arterioles supply capillaries which in turn empty into venules.

Arterioles, the smallest of the true arteries, help regulate blood pressure and deliver blood to the kidneys (capillaries).

Arterioles have the greatest collective influence on both local blood flow and on overall blood pressure. They are the primary “adjustable nozzles” in the blood system, across which the greatest pressure drop occurs. The combination of heart output (cardiac output) and systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body’s arterioles, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment.

The capillaries are where all of the important exchanges happen in the circulatory system. The capillaries are a single cell thick to aid fast and easy diffusion of gases, sugars and other nutrients to surrounding tissues.

To withstand and adapt to the pressures within, arteries are surrounded by varying thicknesses of smooth muscle which have extensive elastic and inelastic connective tissues.

The pulse pressure, i.e. Systolic vs. Diastolic difference, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries.

Over time, elevated arterial blood sugar (see Diabetes Mellitus), lipoprotein cholesterol, and pressure, smoking, and other factors are all involved in damaging both the endothelium and walls of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis or Diabetes Mellitus.

Among the ancient Greeks, the arteries were considered to be “air holders” that were responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and were connected to the trachea. This theory presumably arose from the fact that the arteries are empty after death: the last beat of the heart pushes the blood through the capillaries and into the veins.

In medieval times, it was recognized that arteries carried a fluid, called “spiritual blood” or “vital spirits”, considered to be different from the contents of the veins. This theory went back to Galen. In the late medieval period, the trachea,^[2] and ligaments were also called “arteries”.^[3]

William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century.

Alexis Carrel at the beginning of 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was before limited to vessels permanent ligatation.

• Peripheral arteries
• Arterial tree
• Blood

Template:Arteries of head and neck Template:Arteries of upper limbs Template:Arteries of chest Template:Arteries of abdomen Template:Arteries of lower limbs

ar:شريان ca:Artèria cy:Rhydweli da:Arterie de:Arterie el:Αρτηρία eo:Arterio eu:Arteria fa:سرخرگ ko:동맥 hr:Arterija id:Pembuluh nadi is:Slagæð it:Arteria he:עורק ku:Xwînber la:Arteria lv:Artērijas lt:Arterija hu:Artéria ms:Arteri mk:Артерија nl:Slagader no:Arterie nn:Pulsåre sq:Arteria simple:Artery sk:Tepna sl:Arterija fi:Valtimo (anatomia) sv:Artär ta:தமனி uk:Артерії

Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Arteries are muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.^[1] All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood.

The circulatory system is extremely important for sustaining life. Its proper functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, maintenance of optimum pH, and the mobility of the elements, proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction and stroke each may directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration. (See atherosclerosis).

The arterial system is the higher-pressure portion of the circulatory system. Arterial pressure varies between the peak pressure during heart contraction, called the systolic pressure, and the minimum, or diastolic pressure between contractions, when the heart rests between cycles. This pressure variation within the artery produces the pulse which is observable in any artery, and reflects heart activity.

The outermost layer is known as the tunica externa formerly known as “tunica adventitia” and is composed of connective tissue. Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is made up of mainly endothelial cells. The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen.

There are several types of arteries in the body:

The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood that has just returned from the body to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.

Systemic arteries deliver blood to the arterioles, and then to the capillaries, where nutrients and gasses are exchanged.

The aorta is the root systemic artery. It receives blood directly from the left ventricle of the heart via the aortic valve. As the aorta branches, and these arteries branch in turn, they become successively smaller in diameter, down to the arteriole. The arterioles supply capillaries which in turn empty into venules.

Arterioles, the smallest of the true arteries, help regulate blood pressure and deliver blood to the kidneys (capillaries).

Arterioles have the greatest collective influence on both local blood flow and on overall blood pressure. They are the primary “adjustable nozzles” in the blood system, across which the greatest pressure drop occurs. The combination of heart output (cardiac output) and systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body’s arterioles, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment.

The capillaries are where all of the important exchanges happen in the circulatory system. The capillaries are a single cell thick to aid fast and easy diffusion of gases, sugars and other nutrients to surrounding tissues.

To withstand and adapt to the pressures within, arteries are surrounded by varying thicknesses of smooth muscle which have extensive elastic and inelastic connective tissues.

The pulse pressure, i.e. Systolic vs. Diastolic difference, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries.

Over time, elevated arterial blood sugar (see Diabetes Mellitus), lipoprotein cholesterol, and pressure, smoking, and other factors are all involved in damaging both the endothelium and walls of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis or Diabetes Mellitus.

Among the ancient Greeks, the arteries were considered to be “air holders” that were responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and were connected to the trachea. This theory presumably arose from the fact that the arteries are empty after death: the last beat of the heart pushes the blood through the capillaries and into the veins.

In medieval times, it was recognized that arteries carried a fluid, called “spiritual blood” or “vital spirits”, considered to be different from the contents of the veins. This theory went back to Galen. In the late medieval period, the trachea,^[2] and ligaments were also called “arteries”.^[3]

William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century.

Alexis Carrel at the beginning of 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was before limited to vessels permanent ligatation.

• Peripheral arteries
• Arterial tree
• Blood

Template:Arteries of head and neck Template:Arteries of upper limbs Template:Arteries of chest Template:Arteries of abdomen Template:Arteries of lower limbs

ar:شريان ca:Artèria cy:Rhydweli da:Arterie de:Arterie el:Αρτηρία eo:Arterio eu:Arteria fa:سرخرگ ko:동맥 hr:Arterija id:Pembuluh nadi is:Slagæð it:Arteria he:עורק ku:Xwînber la:Arteria lv:Artērijas lt:Arterija hu:Artéria ms:Arteri mk:Артерија nl:Slagader no:Arterie nn:Pulsåre sq:Arteria simple:Artery sk:Tepna sl:Arterija fi:Valtimo (anatomia) sv:Artär ta:தமனி uk:Артерії

Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology