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Cardiovascular
46 entries across 8 regions · 224 questions
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Back
- Vertebral arteryHY ArteryFirst branch of the subclavian artery, ascending through the cervical transverse foramina to join its partner and form the basilar artery. Dissection and subclavian steal are the key clinical problems.
- Vertebral venous plexusHY VeinValveless network of veins inside and around the vertebral column that connects the pelvic, abdominal, thoracic and intracranial veins. It explains how prostate and breast cancer spread to the spine.
Thorax
- Anterior interventricular arteryHY ArteryBranch of the left coronary artery in the anterior interventricular groove. It supplies the anterior LV wall, the anterior two-thirds of the septum and the apex, and is the most commonly occluded coronary artery.
- Aortic valveHY OrganThree-cusped semilunar valve between the left ventricle and the aorta. Aortic stenosis and regurgitation are among the most tested murmurs.
- Azygos vein VeinVein on the right side of the posterior mediastinum that drains the posterior thoracic wall. It arches over the right lung root into the SVC and is a key collateral pathway between the caval systems.
- Cardiac conduction systemHY OrganSpecialized cardiac muscle that generates and conducts impulses (SA node → AV node → bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers). Its blood supply explains the arrhythmias that accompany some MIs.
- Circumflex arteryHY ArteryBranch of the left coronary artery in the left atrioventricular groove that supplies the lateral wall of the left ventricle and the left atrium; its occlusion causes lateral (and sometimes posterior) MI.
- HeartHY OrganFour-chambered muscular pump in the middle mediastinum. Knowing which chamber forms each surface and border is the key to exam findings, ECGs and chest X-rays.
- Internal thoracic arteryHY ArteryBranch of the subclavian artery that descends just lateral to the sternum. It supplies the anterior chest wall and breast and is the preferred conduit for coronary bypass (LIMA to LAD).
- Left coronary arteryHY ArteryShort trunk from the left aortic sinus that divides into the anterior interventricular (LAD) and circumflex arteries, supplying most of the left ventricle.
- MediastinumHY Space / regionCentral compartment of the thorax between the pleural cavities, divided into superior and inferior parts. Knowing what is in each compartment leads you to the differential for a mediastinal mass.
- Mitral valveHY OrganTwo-leaflet valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, anchored by chordae tendineae to two papillary muscles. Mitral stenosis, regurgitation and prolapse are heard best at the apex.
- PericardiumHY OrganDouble-walled fibroserous sac enclosing the heart. Pericarditis, effusion and tamponade are its key clinical problems.
- Pulmonary arteriesHY ArteryThe pulmonary trunk and its right and left branches carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. They're where pulmonary emboli lodge.
- Pulmonary valve OrganThree-cusped semilunar valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk. It is the most anterior valve, and the physiologic splitting of S2 is heard best over it.
- Right coronary arteryHY ArteryArises from the right aortic sinus and runs in the right atrioventricular groove. It usually supplies the SA and AV nodes, the right ventricle and (in right dominance) the inferior wall; occlusion causes inferior MI.
- Superior vena cavaHY VeinLarge vein returning blood from the head, neck, upper limbs and upper thorax to the right atrium. It is the site of SVC syndrome and the target position for central venous catheter tips.
- Thoracic aortaHY ArteryThe aorta within the thorax (ascending aorta, arch and descending thoracic aorta). It's the site of dissection, coarctation, traumatic injury and aneurysm.
- Tricuspid valveHY OrganThree-leaflet valve between the right atrium and right ventricle. Tricuspid regurgitation, including from IV drug–associated endocarditis, is its key clinical problem.
Abdomen
- Abdominal aortaHY ArteryContinuation of the thoracic aorta from the aortic hiatus (T12) to its bifurcation at L4. It supplies the abdominal organs and is the usual site of aortic aneurysm.
- Celiac trunkHY ArteryShort anterior branch of the abdominal aorta at T12 and the artery of the foregut. It divides into the left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
- Hepatic portal veinHY VeinCarries nutrient-rich venous blood from the GI tract, spleen and pancreas to the liver. In portal hypertension its anastomoses with systemic veins cause varices, caput medusae and rectal varices.
- Inferior epigastric arteryHY ArteryBranch of the external iliac artery that ascends into the rectus sheath. It's the landmark separating indirect from direct inguinal hernias and must be avoided during paracentesis and laparoscopic port placement.
- Inferior mesenteric arteryHY ArteryArtery of the hindgut, arising from the aorta at L3. It supplies the distal transverse colon to the upper rectum, and its ligation during aortic surgery puts the watershed colon at risk.
- Inferior vena cavaHY VeinLargest vein of the body, returning blood from below the diaphragm to the right atrium. It lies to the right of the aorta, passes through the diaphragm at T8, and is compressed by the gravid uterus in the supine position.
- Superior mesenteric arteryHY ArteryArtery of the midgut, arising from the aorta at L1 behind the pancreas. Its occlusion causes acute mesenteric ischemia, and its angle with the aorta explains SMA and nutcracker syndromes.
Pelvis & Perineum
- Internal iliac arteryHY ArteryMain artery of the pelvis, supplying the pelvic viscera, perineum, gluteal region and medial thigh. Its branches bleed in pelvic fractures and are embolized for postpartum hemorrhage and fibroids.
- Uterine arteryHY ArteryBranch of the internal iliac artery that crosses above the ureter beside the cervix to supply the uterus. It is ligated in hysterectomy, embolized for fibroids and postpartum hemorrhage, and greatly enlarged in pregnancy.
Upper Limb
- Axillary arteryHY ArteryContinuation of the subclavian artery through the axilla, divided into three parts by pectoralis minor, with six named branches.
- Brachial arteryHY ArteryMain artery of the arm, continuing from the axillary artery. It gives the profunda brachii, then divides in the cubital fossa into the radial and ulnar arteries; it's the site for blood pressure measurement.
- Cubital fossaHY Space / regionTriangular depression on the anterior elbow containing the biceps tendon, brachial artery and median nerve. It is the usual site for venipuncture and blood pressure auscultation.
- Radial arteryHY ArterySmaller terminal branch of the brachial artery. It is palpated at the wrist, used for ABGs, arterial lines and cardiac catheterization, and forms most of the deep palmar arch.
- Ulnar artery ArteryLarger terminal branch of the brachial artery. It gives the common interosseous artery, enters the hand through Guyon's canal, and forms most of the superficial palmar arch.
Lower Limb
- Deep veins of the lower limbHY VeinPaired deep veins that accompany the leg arteries and join to form the popliteal and femoral veins. They carry most venous return, helped by the calf muscle pump, and are where DVT forms.
- Femoral arteryHY ArteryContinuation of the external iliac artery below the inguinal ligament and the main artery of the lower limb. Its groin pulse is a key exam site and the usual access for catheterization; the superficial femoral segment is the classic site of claudication-causing atherosclerosis.
- Femoral triangleHY Space / regionTriangular region of the upper anterior thigh containing the femoral nerve, artery, vein and canal. It is the site of the femoral pulse, arterial and venous access, and femoral hernias.
- Great saphenous veinHY VeinThe longest vein in the body, running superficially from the front of the medial malleolus to the groin. It is the usual source of varicose veins and a common graft for coronary bypass.
- Popliteal arteryHY ArteryContinuation of the femoral artery through the popliteal fossa, the deepest structure there. It is tethered and easily injured in knee dislocations and is the most common site of peripheral aneurysms.
Head & Neck
- Common and internal carotid arteriesHY ArteryMain arteries of the head. Each common carotid divides at about C4 into external and internal carotids, and atherosclerosis at the bifurcation is a major cause of stroke and TIA.
- External carotid arteryHY ArteryMain artery of the face, scalp and neck outside the skull. It has eight branches (SALFOPSM) and ends in the parotid gland as the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries.
- Internal jugular veinHY VeinMain venous drainage of the brain, face and neck. It runs in the carotid sheath and is the source of the jugular venous pressure (JVP), a common central line site, and the vein thrombosed in Lemierre syndrome.
- Middle meningeal arteryHY ArteryBranch of the maxillary artery that enters the skull through the foramen spinosum to supply the dura and skull. Tearing of its anterior branch under the pterion causes an epidural hematoma.
Neuroanatomy
- Cerebral arteries (ACA, MCA, PCA)HY ArteryThe three paired arteries that supply the cerebral hemispheres. Each territory gives a recognizable stroke syndrome; the MCA is the most commonly affected.
- Circle of WillisHY ArteryArterial ring at the base of the brain joining the carotid (anterior) and vertebrobasilar (posterior) circulations. It provides collateral flow, and its branch points are where berry aneurysms form.
- Dural venous sinusesHY VeinValveless venous channels between the layers of the dura that drain the brain into the internal jugular veins. Thrombosis of the sagittal or cavernous sinus is an important, easily missed cause of headache and cranial nerve palsies.
- Vertebrobasilar systemHY ArteryThe posterior circulation — the vertebral arteries join to form the basilar artery, which supplies the brainstem, cerebellum and (through the PCAs) the occipital lobes. Its strokes cause vertigo, crossed signs and, with basilar occlusion, coma or locked-in syndrome.