Where is the cephalic artery

Course From the radial aspect of the superficial venous network, the cephalic vein arches around the radial aspect of the forearm to course through the anterolateral forearm 1.

Tributaries Accessory cephalic veins can arise from either a venous plexus on the dorsum of the forearm or from the medial aspect of the dorsal venous network of the hands. Termination The cephalic vein terminates by draining into the first part of the axillary vein at the clavipectoral triangle 2. Drainage The cephalic vein drains the lateral side of the superficial venous network of the dorsum, which in turn drains blood from the palm of the hand 2.

Gerard J. Tortora, Bryan H. ISBN: 2. Last's Anatomy. ISBN: 3. Anne M. ISBN: 4. Richard L. Drake, Wayne Vogl, Adam W. Gray's Anatomy for Students. ISBN: Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb. Promoted articles advertising. Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2; superficial veins of the upper limb Gray's illustration Figure 2; superficial veins of the upper limb Gray's illustration.

These primarily fall into two categories:. One of the main tasks of the circulatory system is to deliver oxygen, carried by blood cells, to the rest of the body. Oxygen is added to the blood in the heart. In contrast to arteries, which take the blood out, veins like the cephalic vein bring it back.

This vein is one of the main pathways that deoxygenated blood from the hands and arms takes on its way to the heart. Specifically, this vein conveys blood from the radial part of the hand around the thumb , the inner forearm, and upper arm. In the clinical and medical setting, the cephalic vein—like other superficial veins in the arm—plays a few different roles and can be impacted by a number of health conditions. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Shahid S. Cephalic vein. Published Clinical anatomy of the cephalic vein for safe performance of venipuncture. JA Clin Rep. Nguyen J, Duong H. Anatomy, shoulder and upper limb, veins. Updated Hoskins A, Hacking C. Cephalic vein: radiology reference article. Cleveland Clinic. Superficial thrombophlebitis: symptoms, causes. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

As you would expect based upon proximity to the heart, each of these vessels is classified as an elastic artery. The brachiocephalic artery is located only on the right side of the body; there is no corresponding artery on the left. The brachiocephalic artery branches into the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery. The left subclavian and left common carotid arteries arise independently from the aortic arch but otherwise follow a similar pattern and distribution to the corresponding arteries on the right side see Figure 2.

Each subclavian artery supplies blood to the arms, chest, shoulders, back, and central nervous system. It then gives rise to three major branches: the internal thoracic artery, the vertebral artery, and the thyrocervical artery. The internal thoracic artery , or mammary artery, supplies blood to the thymus, the pericardium of the heart, and the anterior chest wall. The vertebral artery passes through the vertebral foramen in the cervical vertebrae and then through the foramen magnum into the cranial cavity to supply blood to the brain and spinal cord.

The paired vertebral arteries join together to form the large basilar artery at the base of the medulla oblongata. This is an example of an anastomosis. The subclavian artery also gives rise to the thyrocervical artery that provides blood to the thyroid, the cervical region of the neck, and the upper back and shoulder. The common carotid artery divides into internal and external carotid arteries. The right common carotid artery arises from the brachiocephalic artery and the left common carotid artery arises directly from the aortic arch.

The external carotid artery supplies blood to numerous structures within the face, lower jaw, neck, esophagus, and larynx. These branches include the lingual, facial, occipital, maxillary, and superficial temporal arteries. The internal carotid artery initially forms an expansion known as the carotid sinus, containing the carotid baroreceptors and chemoreceptors.

Like their counterparts in the aortic sinuses, the information provided by these receptors is critical to maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis see Figure 2. The internal carotid arteries along with the vertebral arteries are the two primary suppliers of blood to the human brain.

Given the central role and vital importance of the brain to life, it is critical that blood supply to this organ remains uninterrupted.

Recall that blood flow to the brain is remarkably constant, with approximately 20 percent of blood flow directed to this organ at any given time.

When blood flow is interrupted, even for just a few seconds, a transient ischemic attack TIA , or mini-stroke, may occur, resulting in loss of consciousness or temporary loss of neurological function.

In some cases, the damage may be permanent. Loss of blood flow for longer periods, typically between 3 and 4 minutes, will likely produce irreversible brain damage or a stroke, also called a cerebrovascular accident CVA. The locations of the arteries in the brain not only provide blood flow to the brain tissue but also prevent interruption in the flow of blood. Both the carotid and vertebral arteries branch once they enter the cranial cavity, and some of these branches form a structure known as the arterial circle or circle of Willis , an anastomosis that is remarkably like a traffic circle that sends off branches in this case, arterial branches to the brain.

As a rule, branches to the anterior portion of the cerebrum are normally fed by the internal carotid arteries; the remainder of the brain receives blood flow from branches associated with the vertebral arteries. Figure 4. The common carotid artery gives rise to the external and internal carotid arteries. The external carotid artery remains superficial and gives rise to many arteries of the head. The internal carotid artery first forms the carotid sinus and then reaches the brain via the carotid canal and carotid foramen, emerging into the cranium via the foramen lacerum.

The vertebral artery branches from the subclavian artery and passes through the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebrae, entering the base of the skull at the vertebral foramen. The subclavian artery continues toward the arm as the axillary artery.

The internal carotid artery continues through the carotid canal of the temporal bone and enters the base of the brain through the carotid foramen where it gives rise to several branches see Figure 4 and Figure 5.

One of these branches is the anterior cerebral artery that supplies blood to the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. Another branch, the middle cerebral artery , supplies blood to the temporal and parietal lobes, which are the most common sites of CVAs.

The ophthalmic artery , the third major branch, provides blood to the eyes. The right and left anterior cerebral arteries join together to form an anastomosis called the anterior communicating artery. The initial segments of the anterior cerebral arteries and the anterior communicating artery form the anterior portion of the arterial circle.

The posterior portion of the arterial circle is formed by a left and a right posterior communicating artery that branches from the posterior cerebral artery , which arises from the basilar artery. It provides blood to the posterior portion of the cerebrum and brain stem. The basilar artery is an anastomosis that begins at the junction of the two vertebral arteries and sends branches to the cerebellum and brain stem. It flows into the posterior cerebral arteries. Table 4 summarizes the aortic arch branches, including the major branches supplying the brain.

Figure 5. This inferior view shows the network of arteries serving the brain. The structure is referred to as the arterial circle or circle of Willis. The thoracic aorta begins at the level of vertebra T5 and continues through to the diaphragm at the level of T12, initially traveling within the mediastinum to the left of the vertebral column.

As it passes through the thoracic region, the thoracic aorta gives rise to several branches, which are collectively referred to as visceral branches and parietal branches. Those branches that supply blood primarily to visceral organs are known as the visceral branches and include the bronchial arteries, pericardial arteries, esophageal arteries, and the mediastinal arteries, each named after the tissues it supplies. Each bronchial artery typically two on the left and one on the right supplies systemic blood to the lungs and visceral pleura, in addition to the blood pumped to the lungs for oxygenation via the pulmonary circuit.

The bronchial arteries follow the same path as the respiratory branches, beginning with the bronchi and ending with the bronchioles. There is considerable, but not total, intermingling of the systemic and pulmonary blood at anastomoses in the smaller branches of the lungs. This may sound incongruous—that is, the mixing of systemic arterial blood high in oxygen with the pulmonary arterial blood lower in oxygen—but the systemic vessels also deliver nutrients to the lung tissue just as they do elsewhere in the body.

The mixed blood drains into typical pulmonary veins, whereas the bronchial artery branches remain separate and drain into bronchial veins described later. Each pericardial artery supplies blood to the pericardium, the esophageal artery provides blood to the esophagus, and the mediastinal artery provides blood to the mediastinum.

The remaining thoracic aorta branches are collectively referred to as parietal branches or somatic branches, and include the intercostal and superior phrenic arteries. Each intercostal artery provides blood to the muscles of the thoracic cavity and vertebral column. The superior phrenic artery provides blood to the superior surface of the diaphragm.

The image and table below lists the arteries of the thoracic region. Figure 6. The thoracic aorta gives rise to the arteries of the visceral and parietal branches.

After crossing through the diaphragm at the aortic hiatus, the thoracic aorta is called the abdominal aorta Figure 6. This vessel remains to the left of the vertebral column and is embedded in adipose tissue behind the peritoneal cavity. It formally ends at approximately the level of vertebra L4, where it bifurcates to form the common iliac arteries.

Before this division, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several important branches. A single celiac trunk artery emerges and divides into the left gastric artery to supply blood to the stomach and esophagus, the splenic artery to supply blood to the spleen, and the common hepatic artery , which in turn gives rise to the hepatic artery proper to supply blood to the liver, the right gastric artery to supply blood to the stomach, the cystic artery to supply blood to the gall bladder, and several branches, one to supply blood to the duodenum and another to supply blood to the pancreas.

Two additional single vessels arise from the abdominal aorta. These are the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. The superior mesenteric artery arises approximately 2. The inferior mesenteric artery supplies blood to the distal segment of the large intestine, including the rectum.

It arises approximately 5 cm superior to the common iliac arteries. In addition to these single branches, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several significant paired arteries along the way. These include the inferior phrenic arteries, the adrenal arteries, the renal arteries, the gonadal arteries, and the lumbar arteries.

Each inferior phrenic artery is a counterpart of a superior phrenic artery and supplies blood to the inferior surface of the diaphragm. The adrenal artery supplies blood to the adrenal suprarenal glands and arises near the superior mesenteric artery. Each renal artery branches approximately 2. The right renal artery is longer than the left since the aorta lies to the left of the vertebral column and the vessel must travel a greater distance to reach its target.

Renal arteries branch repeatedly to supply blood to the kidneys. Each gonadal artery supplies blood to the gonads, or reproductive organs, and is also described as either an ovarian artery or a testicular artery internal spermatic , depending upon the sex of the individual.

An ovarian artery supplies blood to an ovary, uterine Fallopian tube, and the uterus, and is located within the suspensory ligament of the uterus. It is considerably shorter than a testicular artery , which ultimately travels outside the body cavity to the testes, forming one component of the spermatic cord.

The gonadal arteries arise inferior to the renal arteries and are generally retroperitoneal. The ovarian artery continues to the uterus where it forms an anastomosis with the uterine artery that supplies blood to the uterus.

Both the uterine arteries and vaginal arteries, which distribute blood to the vagina, are branches of the internal iliac artery.

The four paired lumbar arteries are the counterparts of the intercostal arteries and supply blood to the lumbar region, the abdominal wall, and the spinal cord.

In some instances, a fifth pair of lumbar arteries emerges from the median sacral artery. The aorta divides at approximately the level of vertebra L4 into a left and a right common iliac artery but continues as a small vessel, the median sacral artery , into the sacrum. The common iliac arteries provide blood to the pelvic region and ultimately to the lower limbs. They split into external and internal iliac arteries approximately at the level of the lumbar-sacral articulation.

Each internal iliac artery sends branches to the urinary bladder, the walls of the pelvis, the external genitalia, and the medial portion of the femoral region. In females, they also provide blood to the uterus and vagina. The much larger external iliac artery supplies blood to each of the lower limbs. Figure 8 shows the distribution of the major branches of the aorta into the thoracic and abdominal regions. Figure 9 shows the distribution of the major branches of the common iliac arteries.

Figure 7. The flow chart summarizes the distribution of the major branches of the aorta into the thoracic and abdominal regions. Figure 8. The flow chart below summarizes the distribution of the major branches of the common iliac arteries into the pelvis and lower limbs.

The left side follows a similar pattern to the right. Figure 9. The arteries that supply blood to the arms and hands are extensions of the subclavian arteries. As the subclavian artery exits the thorax into the axillary region, it is renamed the axillary artery. Although it does branch and supply blood to the region near the head of the humerus via the humeral circumflex arteries , the majority of the vessel continues into the upper arm, or brachium, and becomes the brachial artery Figure 9.

The brachial artery supplies blood to much of the brachial region and divides at the elbow into several smaller branches, including the deep brachial arteries, which provide blood to the posterior surface of the arm, and the ulnar collateral arteries, which supply blood to the region of the elbow.

As the brachial artery approaches the coronoid fossa, it bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries, which continue into the forearm, or antebrachium. The radial artery and ulnar artery parallel their namesake bones, giving off smaller branches until they reach the wrist, or carpal region.

At this level, they fuse to form the superficial and deep palmar arches that supply blood to the hand, as well as the digital arteries that supply blood to the digits. Figure 9 show the distribution of systemic arteries from the heart into the upper limb. Table 7 summarizes the arteries serving the upper limbs. Figure The flow chart summarizes the distribution of the major arteries from the heart into the upper limb.

The external iliac artery exits the body cavity and enters the femoral region of the lower leg Figure As it passes through the body wall, it is renamed the femoral artery. It gives off several smaller branches as well as the lateral deep femoral artery that in turn gives rise to a lateral circumflex artery.

These arteries supply blood to the deep muscles of the thigh as well as ventral and lateral regions of the integument. The femoral artery also gives rise to the genicular artery , which provides blood to the region of the knee.

As the femoral artery passes posterior to the knee near the popliteal fossa, it is called the popliteal artery. The popliteal artery branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Major arteries serving the lower limb are shown in anterior and posterior views. The anterior tibial artery is located between the tibia and fibula, and supplies blood to the muscles and integument of the anterior tibial region.

Upon reaching the tarsal region, it becomes the dorsalis pedis artery , which branches repeatedly and provides blood to the tarsal and dorsal regions of the foot. The posterior tibial artery provides blood to the muscles and integument on the posterior surface of the tibial region.

The fibular or peroneal artery branches from the posterior tibial artery. It bifurcates and becomes the medial plantar artery and lateral plantar artery , providing blood to the plantar surfaces. There is an anastomosis with the dorsalis pedis artery, and the medial and lateral plantar arteries form two arches called the dorsal arch also called the arcuate arch and the plantar arch , which provide blood to the remainder of the foot and toes.

Figure 12 show the distribution of the major systemic arteries in the lower limb. Table 8 summarizes the major systemic arteries discussed in the text. The flow chart summarizes the distribution of the systemic arteries from the external iliac artery into the lower limb.

Systemic veins return blood to the right atrium. Since the blood has already passed through the systemic capillaries, it will be relatively low in oxygen concentration. In many cases, there will be veins draining organs and regions of the body with the same name as the arteries that supplied these regions and the two often parallel one another. However, there is a great deal more variability in the venous circulation than normally occurs in the arteries.

For the sake of brevity and clarity, this text will discuss only the most commonly encountered patterns. However, keep this variation in mind when you move from the classroom to clinical practice. In both the neck and limb regions, there are often both superficial and deeper levels of veins. The deeper veins generally correspond to the complementary arteries. The superficial veins do not normally have direct arterial counterparts, but in addition to returning blood, they also make contributions to the maintenance of body temperature.

When the ambient temperature is warm, more blood is diverted to the superficial veins where heat can be more easily dissipated to the environment. In colder weather, there is more constriction of the superficial veins and blood is diverted deeper where the body can retain more of the heat. It is like following a river with many tributaries and channels, several of which interconnect. Tracing blood flow through arteries follows the current in the direction of blood flow, so that we move from the heart through the large arteries and into the smaller arteries to the capillaries.

From the capillaries, we move into the smallest veins and follow the direction of blood flow into larger veins and back to the heart. Figure 13 outlines the path of the major systemic veins. The major systemic veins of the body are shown here in an anterior view. The right atrium receives all of the systemic venous return.

Most of the blood flows into either the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava. If you draw an imaginary line at the level of the diaphragm, systemic venous circulation from above that line will generally flow into the superior vena cava; this includes blood from the head, neck, chest, shoulders, and upper limbs. The exception to this is that most venous blood flow from the coronary veins flows directly into the coronary sinus and from there directly into the right atrium.

Beneath the diaphragm, systemic venous flow enters the inferior vena cava, that is, blood from the abdominal and pelvic regions and the lower limbs. The superior vena cava drains most of the body superior to the diaphragm. On both the left and right sides, the subclavian vein forms when the axillary vein passes through the body wall from the axillary region. It fuses with the external and internal jugular veins from the head and neck to form the brachiocephalic vein.