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Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Knowing the arterial system is key to understanding how oxygenated blood spreads across the human body. At Liv Hospital, we stress the need to grasp the major arteries and their role in health. See major arteries of the body with labeled diagrams, charts, and an easy-to-understand anatomy guide.
The aorta, the biggest artery, starts from the heart. It branches out to key areas like the head, neck, and upper limbs. This guide will show you the artery map of the body. It includes labeled diagrams and charts to make the complex network clear.
We’ll look at the biggest artery in body and its branches. We’ll see how they are essential for delivering oxygenated blood to different organs and tissues.
The arterial system is key to our circulatory system. It sends oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. Knowing how it works and what it’s made of helps us understand heart health.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the body. They have strong walls to handle the heart’s high pressure.
The walls of arteries have three layers. The innermost layer, the tunica intima, is covered with cells that control blood flow and pressure.
The arterial wall’s structure is vital for its job. The elastic properties of these walls help them stretch and recoil with each heartbeat. This keeps blood pressure steady.
This elasticity is key in the bigger arteries, which face high pressures.
Arteries and veins differ in their roles and blood flow direction. Arteries send oxygen-rich blood to the body, while veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Arteries have thicker walls than veins to handle the heart’s blood pressure.
Understanding the arterial system’s role, structure, and how it differs from veins helps us see the circulatory system’s complexity. It also highlights the need to keep our heart health in check.
The aorta starts in the left ventricle of the heart. It is the biggest artery and very important for the body’s blood flow.
The aorta has three main parts: the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta. The ascending aorta comes from the left ventricle. The aortic arch then curves back and to the left, supplying blood to the head and upper limbs. The descending aorta goes down through the chest and into the belly, splitting into the common iliac arteries.
The aorta’s wall has three layers: the tunica intima, the tunica media, and the tunica externa. The tunica intima is the innermost layer, made of endothelial cells. The tunica media is in the middle, with smooth muscle and elastic fibers. The tunica externa is the outermost, made of connective tissue.
The aorta has important branches that supply blood to different areas. The aortic arch branches include the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. These are key for blood to the head, neck, and upper limbs.
| Branch | Supply Area |
| Brachiocephalic Trunk | Right arm and head |
| Left Common Carotid Artery | Left side of the head and neck |
| Left Subclavian Artery | Left arm |
A leading cardiovascular specialist says, “The aorta’s structure and its branches are key to understanding how oxygenated blood is spread throughout the body.”
In summary, the aorta is not just the largest artery but also essential for the body’s blood flow. It makes sure oxygenated blood reaches all parts of the body efficiently.
It’s key to know the major arteries in the head and neck for diagnosing and treating vascular issues. These arteries are vital for blood flow to the brain and other important areas.
The common carotid arteries start from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right and the aortic arch on the left. They go up the neck, in front of the prevertebral fascia. They join the carotid sheath with the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve.
At the top of the thyroid cartilage, they split into the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery. This split is a key spot.
The external carotid artery sends blood to the neck and face. It branches into several arteries, like the superior thyroid and maxillary arteries.
The internal carotid artery mainly goes to the brain. It enters the skull through the carotid canal. It branches into the ophthalmic and anterior cerebral arteries.
The vertebral arteries start from the subclavian arteries and go up the neck. They enter the skull through the foramen magnum. There, they merge to form the basilar artery.
This artery supplies blood to the brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries.
The vertebral arteries have important branches. These include the anterior spinal artery and the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries. These branches are essential for the spinal cord and cerebellum.
In summary, the major arteries in the head and neck are vital for brain health. Knowing their anatomy and function is critical for doctors.
The upper limbs have a network of arteries that start from the subclavian arteries. We will look at the main arteries that bring blood to the upper limbs. We will cover their anatomy, function, and why they are important.
The subclavian arteries start from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right and the aortic arch on the left. They carry blood to the upper limbs, head, and neck. These arteries are key, providing oxygen-rich blood to the upper body.
When the subclavian artery reaches the first rib, it turns into the axillary artery. The axillary artery then moves into the arm, becoming the brachial artery. The brachial artery is a major artery that supplies blood to the arm and forearm. It splits into the radial and ulnar arteries.
The radial and ulnar arteries are the main arteries for the forearm and hand. The radial artery is on the outside of the forearm, and the ulnar artery is on the inside. These arteries are vital for the muscles and tissues in the forearm and hand.
The radial and ulnar arteries have several branches. These include the radial recurrent artery, the ulnar recurrent artery, and the interosseous arteries. They also have branches for the wrist and hand.
“The arterial supply to the upper limb is a complex network that is essential for proper limb function,” says Medical Expert, a leading expert in vascular anatomy. “Understanding the anatomy of these arteries is critical for diagnosing and treating vascular disorders.”
In conclusion, the major arteries of the upper limbs are vital for blood supply to the arm, forearm, and hand. Knowing their anatomy and function is key for diagnosing and treating vascular disorders.
Understanding the major arteries of the thorax is key to knowing how the circulatory system works. The thorax has vital arteries that help supply blood to the heart and other chest structures.
The coronary arteries send blood straight to the heart muscle. They start from the aortic root and split into smaller arteries that cover the heart.
These arteries are vital for the heart’s health. They bring oxygen and nutrients. Any problems with these arteries can cause serious heart issues.
The brachiocephalic trunk, or brachiocephalic artery, comes from the aortic arch. It sends blood to the right arm and head through its branches.
This artery is important because it’s the first big branch of the aortic arch. It plays a key role in blood supply to the upper body.
The intercostal arteries supply blood to the intercostal muscles and other thoracic structures. They start from the aorta and run between the ribs.
The intercostal arteries have branches that supply blood to various thoracic structures. These include:
These branches are vital for blood supply to the muscles and tissues between the ribs.
| Artery | Origin | Supply |
| Coronary Arteries | Aortic Root | Heart Muscle |
| Brachiocephalic Trunk | Aortic Arch | Right Arm and Head |
| Intercostal Arteries | Aorta | Intercostal Muscles and Thoracic Structures |
The body’s arterial system is a complex network. It starts with the aorta and ends with the smallest arteries. Each part plays a vital role in keeping blood flowing.
The aorta is the largest artery, carrying blood from the heart. It splits into two main arteries: the brachiocephalic trunk and the left common carotid artery. These arteries then branch into smaller ones, like the subclavian arteries.
These arteries lead to the arteries of the upper body. The subclavian arteries give rise to the vertebral arteries and the internal thoracic arteries. The vertebral arteries go to the brain, while the internal thoracic arteries supply blood to the chest wall.
The arteries of the lower body branch from the aorta’s left side. The left common iliac artery splits into the common femoral arteries. These arteries then branch into the femoral arteries, which supply blood to the legs.
The arteries of the lower body also include the arteries of the abdominal wall. These arteries are vital for blood circulation in the abdominal area.
Understanding the major arteries is key to grasping the body’s systemic arterial circulation. Each artery has its own role, ensuring blood reaches every part of the body.
Arterial junctions and branches are essential for this process. They allow blood to flow to different areas, supporting the body’s functions.
By studying the major arteries, we can appreciate the complexity and importance of the body’s arterial system.
Knowing how blood flows to the abdomen is key for treating stomach problems. The abdominal aorta splits into important branches. These branches help the digestive system and other parts of the abdomen.
The celiac trunk starts just below the diaphragm. It quickly splits into three main parts: the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, and the splenic artery.
The superior mesenteric artery comes from the abdominal aorta below the celiac trunk. It goes to the small intestine and the right colon.
The inferior mesenteric artery comes from the abdominal aorta lower down. It feeds the left colon, rectum, and upper anal canal.
The superior mesenteric artery has branches like the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and the ileocolic artery. The inferior mesenteric artery has the left colic artery and the sigmoid branches.
| Artery | Origin | Supply |
| Celiac Trunk | Abdominal Aorta | Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Spleen |
| Superior Mesenteric Artery | Abdominal Aorta | Small intestine, Right half of the colon |
| Inferior Mesenteric Artery | Abdominal Aorta | Left half of the colon, Rectum, Upper anal canal |
In conclusion, the major arteries of the abdomen are vital for the digestive system. Knowing their anatomy helps in diagnosing and treating stomach issues.
It’s important to know how blood flows to the lower limbs. This knowledge helps in treating vascular problems. The lower limbs have a complex system of arteries. These arteries make sure blood reaches the thigh, leg, and foot.
The femoral artery is a key artery for the thigh. It starts from the external iliac artery and goes down through the femoral triangle. Here, it branches out to the thigh muscles.
The femoral artery is vital. If it gets blocked, it can cause serious problems.
The popliteal artery comes from the femoral artery at the adductor hiatus. It carries blood to the knee and leg. It splits into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The popliteal artery is in the popliteal fossa. It’s at risk for injury and disease.
The anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery branch off from the popliteal artery. They supply blood to the leg and foot. The anterior tibial artery goes to the front of the leg. The posterior tibial artery goes to the back.
The tibial arteries have branches for the leg and foot. The anterior tibial artery has the anterior medial and lateral malleolar arteries. The posterior tibial artery has the peroneal artery and nutrient arteries for the tibia and fibula.
Knowing about these branches is key for treating vascular issues in the lower limbs.
Advanced imaging has changed vascular medicine a lot. It lets us see the arteries clearly. Angiography and computed tomography angiography (CTA) help map arteries well. This is key for finding and treating artery diseases.
Arterial imaging is now a must in medicine. It lets doctors see the arteries in great detail. This helps in diagnosing and planning surgeries.
Using CTA and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has made diagnosing artery diseases better. These methods let doctors see the arteries from many sides. This boosts their confidence in making diagnoses.
These imaging tools also help in making detailed maps of arteries. This is great for spotting blockages, aneurysms, and other problems that need treatment.
Also, these advanced imaging methods help track how diseases progress and how treatments work. They give a clear view of the arteries. This helps doctors make better choices for patient care.
To wrap it up, advanced imaging and artery mapping are vital for treating vascular diseases. As technology gets better, these methods will get even more accurate. This will lead to better care for patients.
Knowing about the arterial system is key to keeping our hearts healthy. The major arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to our organs and tissues. In this article, we’ve looked at the aorta, carotid arteries, and other important ones.
These arteries are vital for getting blood to our head, neck, and upper limbs. Knowing how they work helps doctors diagnose and treat heart diseases.
Healthcare experts can manage heart-related conditions better by understanding the arterial system. As medical science and technology improve, knowing about the arterial system will become even more important.
The aorta is the largest artery. It starts from the left ventricle of the heart. It carries oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
The head and neck have several major arteries. These include the common carotid arteries and their branches. Also, the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain and other vital areas.
The coronary arteries give blood to the heart muscle. They provide the heart with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to work.
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. Veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Arteries have thicker walls because they handle higher pressure.
Knowing the arterial system is key for diagnosing and treating heart diseases. It also helps in keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy.
The lower limbs have important arteries. These include the femoral artery and the popliteal artery. The anterior and posterior tibial arteries also play a role in supplying blood to the legs.
Doctors use advanced imaging to diagnose arterial diseases. Techniques like angiography, ultrasound, and CT scans help in identifying these conditions.
The aorta is the main artery from the heart. It branches out to supply oxygenated blood to the body.
The aorta has several branches. These include the coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic trunk. It also has intercostal arteries, among others.
Understanding the arterial system is vital for heart health. It helps in diagnosing and treating diseases. It also prevents serious heart problems.
