Inferior Vena Cava

The inferior vena cava (or IVC), also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart.

It is posterior to the abdominal cavity and runs alongside of the vertebral column on its right side (i.e. it is a retroperitoneal structure). It enters the right atrium at the lower right, back side of the heart.



Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries.

Brachial Artery

The brachial artery is the major blood vessel of the (upper) arm.

It is the continuation of the axillary artery beyond the lower margin of teres major muscle. It continues down the ventral surface of the arm until it reaches the cubital fossa at the elbow. It then divides into the radial and ulnar arteries which run down the forearm. In some individuals, the bifurcation occurs much earlier and the ulnar and radial arteries extend through the upper arm. The pulse of the brachial artery is palpable on the anterior aspect of the elbow, medial to the tendon of the biceps, and, with the use of a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) often used to measure the blood pressure.

The brachial artery is closely related to the median nerve; in proximal regions, the median nerve is immediately lateral to the brachial artery. Distally, the median nerve crosses the medial side of the brachial artery and lies anterior to the elbow joint.

The brachial artery.

Right upper limb, anterior view, brachial artery and elbow.

Pulmonary Vein

A pulmonary vein is a large blood vessel of the human circulatory system that carries blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. There are two pulmonary veins, two from each lung. They carry oxygenated blood, which is unusual since almost all other veins carry deoxygenated blood.

Axillary artery

In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is called the subclavian artery.

Axillary artery and its branches - anterior view of right upper limb and thorax. Upper and lower limits labeled.

The pectoralis minor is used as a landmark for dividing the axillary artery into three parts.

Superior Vena Cava

The 'superior vena cava''''(also known as the Precava) is a large diameter, yet short vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium.

It is formed by the left and right brachiocephalic veins, (also referred to as the innominate veins) which also receive blood from the upper limbs and the head and neck, behind the lower border of the first right costal cartilage. The azygous vein (which receives blood from the rib cage) joins it just before it enters the right atrium, at the upper right front portion of the heart. It is also known as the cranial vena cava in animals.

No valve separates the superior vena cava from the right atrium. As a result, the (right) atrial and (right) ventricular contractions are conducted up into the internal jugular vein and, through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, can be seen as the jugular venous pressure. In tricuspid valve regurgitation, these pulsations are very strong.











Veins

Subclavian Vein

The thyroid gland and its relations.


In human anatomy, the subclavian veins are two large veins, one on either side of the body. Its diameter is approximately that of the small finger. It is divided into right and left subclavian vein.




Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.

Common Carotid Artery

Arteries of the neck. The internal carotid arteries arise from the common carotid arteries - labeled Common caroti on the figure.






Schematic of the proximal aorta and its branches





In human anatomy, the common carotid artery is an artery that supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood; it divides in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.

Internal Jugular Vein

The two internal jugular veins collect the blood from the brain, the superficial parts of the face, and the neck.

The fascia and middle thyroid veins. (Internal jugular visible at center left.)




Veins of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve has been displaced downward in this preparation. (Internal jugular visible at bottom left.)