Circulatory System | Arteries of the Upper Limb | Flow Chart

Summary

This video explains the blood flow from the heart to the upper limb, tracing the journey of blood from the left ventricle to the fingers. The process begins with the left ventricle pumping blood into the ascending aorta, which branches into the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. The right subclavian artery and its branches, including the axillary and brachial arteries, supply blood to the arm, branching into the radial and ulnar arteries. Anastomoses create collateral pathways, forming the dorsal carpal, deep palmar, and superficial palmar arches, ensuring efficient circulation to the fingers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video explains the blood flow through the upper limb, focusing on the arteries that supply the arm and fingers.
• 😀 The journey of blood starts from the left ventricle of the heart and moves through the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and major branching arteries.
• 😀 The three main arteries branching off the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
• 😀 The right subclavian artery branches into the thyroid cervical artery, vertebral artery, and internal thoracic artery before continuing as the axillary artery.
• 😀 The axillary artery gives off important branches like the subscapular artery, posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries, before continuing as the brachial artery.
• 😀 The brachial artery supplies the arm and branches into the deep brachial artery, radial artery, and ulnar artery.
• 😀 The ulnar artery gives off the common interosseous artery, which splits into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.
• 😀 Anastomoses form key blood flow routes, including the dorsal carpal arch, deep palmar arch, and superficial palmar arch.
• 😀 The radial and ulnar arteries communicate and form specialized arterial arches, which supply the hand and fingers.
• 😀 The digital arteries in the hand provide blood to the fingers, with key connections (anastomoses) between dorsal digital and palmar digital arteries, ensuring continuous blood flow.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video?

The primary purpose of the video is to trace the blood flow from the left ventricle of the heart through the upper limb and explain how it reaches the fingers. A separate video will address how the blood returns to the heart.

What is the first step in the blood flow pathway from the heart?

The blood is pumped from the left ventricle of the heart into the ascending aorta through the aortic semilunar valve.

What structure forms after the blood leaves the ascending aorta?

After the blood leaves the ascending aorta, it moves into the aortic arch, which forms a distinct arch-like shape as it curves.

What are the three major arteries that branch off the aortic arch?

The three major arteries that branch off the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.

What is the difference between the right and left subclavian arteries?

The left subclavian artery directly branches off the aortic arch, while the right subclavian artery branches off the brachiocephalic trunk.

What are some of the key branches of the right subclavian artery?

The right subclavian artery gives off several branches including the thyrocervical branch, vertebral arteries, and the internal thoracic artery before continuing as the axillary artery.

What important arteries are given off by the axillary artery?

The axillary artery gives off branches such as the subscapular artery, the posterior circumflex humeral artery, and the anterior circumflex humeral artery before continuing as the brachial artery.

What is the significance of the common interosseous artery?

The common interosseous artery is a branch of the ulnar artery that splits into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries, which supply blood to the forearm muscles.

What are the three arterial arches formed by the radial and ulnar arteries in the hand?

The radial and ulnar arteries form three arterial arches: the dorsal carpal arch, the deep palmar arch, and the superficial palmar arch, which supply blood to different parts of the hand and fingers.

How do the dorsal and palmar arches contribute to the blood supply to the fingers?

The dorsal carpal arch supplies the back of the hand, while the deep and superficial palmar arches supply the front of the hand and fingers. These arches give rise to various metacarpal and digital arteries, ensuring proper circulation to the fingers.