The great arteries and veins
The aorta from the aortic valve to its bifurcation and its direct branches, the venae cavae and their direct tributaries, and the portal vein: what each vessel supplies or drains, at which level, and what clinical practice draws from it.
- 38 cards
- 4 topics
- Free
The outline, topic by topic
Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.
- Concepts
- On the diagram
- Scenarios
- Understand
A few cards from the deck
Aortic arch: what is it?
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The curved part of the aorta that gives off, right to left, the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid and the left subclavian.
On the right, carotid and subclavian arise together from the brachiocephalic trunk.
Why is varicocele almost always on the left?
- The left gonadal vein drains at a right angle into the left renal vein
- The left testis is bigger
- The aorta compresses the testis
- The left gonadal vein drains into the vena cava
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The left gonadal vein drains at a right angle into the left renal vein
On the right, the gonadal vein joins the vena cava directly, at a slant: drainage is easier.
Internal and external carotids: what is it?
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The two branches of the common carotid: the internal for the brain and eye, the external for the face and neck.
The bifurcation, near the top of the thyroid cartilage, is a common site of plaques.
Why is the left brachiocephalic vein much longer than the right?
- The superior vena cava is on the right: the left vein must cross the midline
- The left arm is longer
- The heart is on the right
- It drains the lungs
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The superior vena cava is on the right: the left vein must cross the midline
It crosses in front of the aortic arch's branches to join its partner.