Guide To The Structure Of The Heart

Arteries And Veins

Blood vessels (arteries and veins) are hollow tubes that carry blood throughout the body. Many of the major arteries in the body branch off from the aorta, the body's largest artery. This artery runs from the top of the left ventricle to the abdomen, and it is roughly twelve inches long and one inch in diameter. Branching off the aorta, the brachiocephalic artery carries oxygenated blood from the aorta to the head, neck, and arms. The carotid arteries also supply oxygenated blood to the head and neck, and the subclavian arteries provide oxygenated blood to the arms. The coronary arteries transport oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, and the common iliac arteries carry oxygenated blood from the abdominal part of the aorta to the legs and feet. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs from the right ventricle of the heart. The brachiocephalic veins are two major veins that join together to create the superior vena cava, and the common iliac veins conjoin to form the inferior vena cava. Together, the venae cavae work to transport deoxygenated blood from many areas of the body back to the heart. The pulmonary veins are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the lungs directly to the heart.

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