Artery - wikipedia Artery For other uses, see Artery ( disambiguation ). Artery Diagram of an artery. Details Identifiers Latin Arteria ( plural : arteriae ) TA A12. 0.00. 003 A12. 2.00. 001 FMA 50720 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) An artery ( plural arteries ) ( from Greek ἀρτηρία ( artēria ), meaning ' windpipe, artery ' ) is a blood vessel that takes blood from the heart to all parts of the body. Most arteries carry oxygenated blood ; the two exceptions are the pulmonary and the umbilical arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to the organs that oxygenate it. The effective arterial blood volume is that extracellular fluid which fills the arterial system. The arteries are part of the circulatory system, which is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products, the maintenance of optimum blood pH, and the circulation of proteins and cells of the immune system. In developed countries, the two leading causes of death, myocardial infarction ( heart attack ), and stroke, may each directly result from an arterial system that has been slowly and progressively compromised by years of deterioration. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Development 2 Function 2.1 Aorta 2.2 Capillaries 3 Clinical significance 4 History 5 References 6 External links Structure Microscopic anatomy of an artery. Cross-section of a human artery See also : Arterial tree The anatomy of arteries can be separated into gross anatomy, at the macroscopic level, and microanatomy, which must be studied with the aid of a microscope. The arterial system of the human body is divided into systemic arteries, carrying blood from the heart to the whole body, and pulmonary arteries, carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. The outermost layer of an artery ( or vein ) is known as the tunica externa, also known as tunica adventitia, and is composed of connective tissue made up of collagen fibers. Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue ( also called connective tissue proper ). The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood, is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is mainly made up of endothelial cells. The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen. Development Arterial formation begins when endothelial cells begin to express arterial specific genes, such as ephrin B2. Function Arteries form part of the human circulatory system Main article : Circulatory system Arteries form part of the circulatory system. They carry blood that is oxygenated after it has been pumped from the heart. Coronary arteries also aid the heart in pumping blood. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues, except for pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs for oxygenation ( usually veins carry deoxygenated blood to the heart but the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood ). There are two types of unique arteries. The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs, where it receives oxygen. It is unique because the blood in it is not `` oxygenated '', as it has not yet passed through the lungs. The other unique artery is the umbilical artery, which carries deoxygenated blood from a fetus to its mother. Arteries have a blood pressure higher than other parts of the circulatory system. The pressure in arteries varies during the cardiac cycle. It is highest when the heart contracts and lowest when heart relaxes. The variation in pressure produces a pulse, which can be felt in different areas of the body, such as the radial pulse. Arterioles have the greatest collective influence on both local blood flow and on overall blood pressure. They are the primary `` adjustable nozzles '' in the blood system, across which the greatest pressure drop occurs. The combination of heart output ( cardiac output ) and systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body 's arterioles, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment. Systemic arteries are the arteries ( including the peripheral arteries ), of the systemic circulation, which is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart, to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Systemic arteries can be subdivided into two types - muscular and elastic - according to the relative compositions of elastic and muscle tissue in their tunica media as well as their size and the makeup of the internal and external elastic lamina. The larger arteries ( > 10 mm diameter ) are generally elastic and the smaller ones ( 0.1 -- 10 mm ) tend to be muscular. Systemic arteries deliver blood to the arterioles, and then to the capillaries, where nutrients and gases are exchanged. After travelling from the aorta, blood travels through peripheral arteries into smaller arteries called arterioles, and eventually to capillaries. Arterioles help in regulating blood pressure by the variable contraction of the smooth muscle of their walls, and deliver blood to the capillaries. Aorta The aorta is the root systemic artery. In humans, it receives blood directly from the left ventricle of the heart via the aortic valve. As the aorta branches, and these arteries branch in turn, they become successively smaller in diameter, down to the arterioles. The arterioles supply capillaries, which in turn empty into venules. The very first branches off of the aorta are the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle itself. These are followed by the branches off the aortic arch, namely the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid, and the left subclavian arteries. Capillaries Main article : Capillaries The capillaries are the smallest of the blood vessels and are part of the microcirculation. The capillaries have a width of a single cell in diameter to aid in the fast and easy diffusion of gases, sugars and nutrients to surrounding tissues. Capillaries have no smooth muscle surrounding them and have a diameter less than that of red blood cells ; a red blood cell is typically 7 micrometers outside diameter, capillaries typically 5 micrometers inside diameter. The red blood cells must distort in order to pass through the capillaries. These small diameters of the capillaries provide a relatively large surface area for the exchange of gases and nutrients. Clinical significance Diagram showing the effects of atherosclerosis on an artery. Systemic arterial pressures, are generated by the forceful contractions of the heart 's left ventricle. High blood pressure is a factor in causing arterial damage. Healthy resting arterial pressures, are relatively low, mean systemic pressures typically being under 100 mmHg, about 1.8 lbf / in2, above surrounding atmospheric pressure ( about 760 mmHg or 14.7 lbf / in2 at sea level ). To withstand and adapt to the pressures within, arteries are surrounded by varying thicknesses of smooth muscle which have extensive elastic and inelastic connective tissues. The pulse pressure, i.e. systolic vs. diastolic difference, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries. A blood squirt also known as an arterial gush is the effect when an artery is cut due to the higher arterial pressures. Blood is spurted out at a rapid, intermittent rate, that coincides with the heartbeat. The amount of blood loss can be copious, can occur very rapidly, and be life - threatening. Over time, factors such as elevated arterial blood sugar ( particularly as seen in diabetes mellitus ), lipoprotein, cholesterol, high blood pressure, stress and smoking, are all implicated in damaging both the endothelium and walls of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease marked by the hardening of arteries. This is caused by an atheroma or plaque in the artery wall and is a build - up of cell debris, that contain lipids, ( cholesterol and fatty acids ), calcium and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue. Accidental intra-arterial injection either iatrogenically or through recreational drug use can cause symptoms such as intense pain, paresthesia and necrosis. It usually causes permanent damage to the limb ; often amputation is necessary. History Among the ancient Greeks, the arteries were considered to be `` air holders '' that were responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and were connected to the trachea. This was as a result of finding the arteries of the dead devoid of blood. In medieval times, it was recognized that arteries carried a fluid, called `` spiritual blood '' or `` vital spirits '', considered to be different from the contents of the veins. This theory went back to Galen. In the late medieval period, the trachea, and ligaments were also called `` arteries ''. William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century. Alexis Carrel at the beginning of 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals ; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was before limited to vessels permanent ligation. Theodor Kocher the Swiss researcher, reported that atherosclerosis often developed in patients who had undergone a thyroidectomy and suggested that hypothyroidism favors atherosclerosis, which was, in the 1900s at autopsies, seen more frequently in iodine - deficient Austrians compared to Icelanders, which are not deficient in iodine. Turner reported the effectiveness of iodide and dried extracts of thyroid in the prevention of atherosclerosis in laboratory rabbits. References Jump up ^ ἀρτηρία, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek - English Lexicon, on Perseus Jump up ^ Swift, MR ; Weinstein, BM ( Mar 13, 2009 ). `` Arterial - venous specification during development ''. Circulation Research. 104 ( 5 ) : 576 -- 88. doi : 10.1161 / CIRCRESAHA. 108.188805. PMID 19286613. Jump up ^ Maton, Anthea ; Jean Hopkins ; Charles William McLaughlin ; Susan Johnson ; Maryanna Quon Warner ; David LaHart ; Jill D. Wright ( 1999 ). Human Biology and Health. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey : Prentice Hall. ISBN 0 - 13 - 981176 - 1. Jump up ^ `` U.S. Navy Standard First Aid Manual, Chapter 3 ( online ) ''. Retrieved 3 Feb 2003. Jump up ^ Bertazzo, S. et al. Nano - analytical electron microscopy reveals fundamental insights into human cardiovascular tissue calcification. Nature Materials 12, 576 - 583 ( 2013 ). Jump up ^ Miller, J.D. Cardiovascular calcification : Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476 - 478 ( 2013 ). Jump up ^ Sen MD, Surjya ; Nunes Chini MD Phd, Eduardo ; Brown MD, Michael J. ( June 2005 ). `` Complications After Unintentional Intra-arterial Injection of Drugs : Risks, Outcomes, and Management Strategies '' ( Online archive of Volume 80, Issue 6, Pages 783 -- 795, June 2005 Mayo Clinic Proceedings ). Mayo Clinic Proceedings. MAYO Clinic. Retrieved 25 August 2014. Unintentional intra-arterial injection of medication, either iatrogenic or self - administered, is a source of considerable morbidity. Normal vascular anatomical proximity, aberrant vasculature, procedurally difficult situations, and medical personnel error all contribute to unintentional cannulation of arteries in an attempt to achieve intravenous access. Delivery of certain medications via arterial access has led to clinically important sequelae, including paresthesias, severe pain, motor dysfunction, compartment syndrome, gangrene, and limb loss. We comprehensively review the current literature, highlighting available information on risk factors, symptoms, pathogenesis, sequelae, and management strategies for unintentional intra-arterial injection. We believe that all physicians and ancillary personnel who administer intravenous therapies should be aware of this serious problem. Jump up ^ Oxford English Dictionary. Jump up ^ Shakespeare, William. Hamlet Complete, Authoritative Text with Biographical and Historical Contexts, Critical History, and Essays from Five Contemporary Critical Perspectives. Boston : Bedford Books of St. Martins Press, 1994. pg. 50. Jump up ^ Bruger, Maurice ; Rosenkrantz, J.A. ( 1942 - 03 - 01 ). `` Arteriosclerosis and Hypothyroidism : Observations on Their Possible Interrelationship ''. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2 ( 3 ) : 176 -- 180. doi : 10.1210 / jcem - 2 - 3 - 176. ISSN 0368 - 1610. External links Look up artery in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arteries. Human arterial system Human systems and organs Musculoskeletal Skeletal system Bone Carpus Collar bone ( clavicle ) Thigh bone ( femur ) Fibula Humerus Mandible Metacarpus Metatarsus Ossicles Patella Phalanges Radius Skull Tarsus Tibia Ulna Rib Vertebra Pelvis Sternum Cartilage Joints Fibrous joint Cartilaginous joint Synovial joint Muscular system Muscle Tendon Diaphragm Circulatory system Cardiovascular system peripheral Artery Vein Lymphatic vessel Heart Lymphatic system primary Bone marrow Thymus secondary Spleen Lymph node CNS equivalent Glymphatic system Nervous system Brain Spinal cord Nerve Sensory system Ear Eye Integumentary system Skin Subcutaneous tissue Breast Mammary gland Immune system Myeloid Myeloid immune system Lymphoid Lymphoid immune system Respiratory system Upper Nose Nasopharynx Larynx Lower Trachea Bronchus Lung Digestive system Mouth Salivary gland Tongue upper GI Oropharynx Laryngopharynx Esophagus Stomach lower GI Small intestine Appendix Colon Rectum Anus accessory Liver Biliary tract Pancreas Urinary system Genitourinary system Kidney Ureter Bladder Urethra Reproductive system Female Uterus Vagina Vulva Ovary Placenta Male Scrotum Penis Prostate Testicle Seminal vesicle Endocrine system Pituitary Pineal Thyroid Parathyroid Adrenal Islets of Langerhans Arteries and veins Vessels Arteries Nutrient artery Arteriole Metarteriole Capillaries Types Continuous Fenestrated Sinusoidal Precapillary sphincter Precapillary resistance Veins Vena comitans Superficial vein Deep vein Emissary veins Venous plexus Venule Lymph Lymphatic vessel Lymph Lymph capillary Circulatory system Systemic Left heart → Aorta → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Vena cava → ( Right heart ) Pulmonary Right heart → Pulmonary arteries → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left heart Microanatomy Microcirculation Tunica intima Endothelium Internal elastic lamina Tunica media Tunica externa Vasa vasorum Vasa nervorum Vascular nerves Rete mirabile Circulatory anastomosis Arteries in the human body Arteries of the head and neck CC EC sup. thyroid superior laryngeal sternocleidomastoid branch infrahyoid branch cricothyroid branch glandular branches asc. pharyngeal posterior meningeal pharyngeal branches inferior tympanic lingual suprahyoid dorsal lingual deep lingual sublingual facial cervical branches ( ascending palatine, tonsillar, submental, glandular ) facial branches ( inferior labial superior labial / nasal septum lateral nasal angular ) occipital sternocleidomastoid meningeal occipital auricular descending post. auricular stylomastoid stapedial auricular occipital Parotid sup. temporal transverse facial middle temporal ( zygomatico - orbital ) anterior auricular frontal parietal maxillary 1st part / mandibular anterior tympanic deep auricular middle meningeal ( superior tympanic, petrosal ) accessory meningeal inferior alveolar 2nd part / pterygoid to muscles of mastication ( deep temporal, pterygoid, masseteric ) buccal 3rd part / pterygopalatine posterior superior alveolar infraorbital ( anterior superior alveolar ) descending palatine ( greater palatine, lesser palatine ) artery of the pterygoid canal sphenopalatine ( posterior septal branches, posterior lateral nasal ) pharyngeal IC cervical carotid sinus petrous Vidian caroticotympanic cavernous / ophthalmic orbital group : anterior ethmoidal posterior ethmoidal lacrimal ( lateral palpebral ) medial palpebral terminal ( supraorbital, supratrochlear, dorsal nasal ) ocular group : central retinal ciliary ( short posterior, long posterior, anterior ) Circulus arteriosus major hypophysial ( superior, inferior ) brain Circle of Willis ACA ( anterior communicating, medial striate, Orbitofrontal artery ) MCA ( anterolateral central, Prefrontal artery, Superior terminal branch, Inferior terminal branch, Anterior temporal branch ) posterior communicating anterior choroidal SC vertebral artery meningeal spinal ( posterior, anterior ) basilar : pontine labyrinthine cerebellar ( AICA, SCA, PICA ) cerebral ( PCA ) thyrocervical trunk inferior thyroid inferior laryngeal tracheal esophageal ascending cervical pharyngeal glandular branches transverse cervical superficial branch deep branch / dorsal scapular scapular anastomosis suprascapular acromial branch scapular anastomosis costocervical trunk deep cervical Supreme Intercostal artery Arteries of the torso and chest Lungs Pulmonary artery Right Left ( Ligamentum arteriosum ) Heart Coronary circulation Right coronary : SA nodal AV nodal Atrial Right marginal Posterior interventricular Left coronary : Anterior interventricular Left circumflex ( Left marginal ) Aorta Sections Ascending aorta Aortic arch Descending aorta Thoracic aorta Abdominal aorta Aortic body Aortic arch Brachiocephalic Thyreoidea ima Right subclavian Right common carotid Left common carotid External carotid Internal carotid Carotid body Carotid sinus Carotid bifurcation Left subclavian Internal thoracic : Anterior intercostal Thymic Pericardiacophrenic Perforating branches terminal ( Musculophrenic, superior epigastric ) Costocervical trunk : Highest intercostal ( Posterior intercostal 1 -- 2 ) Deep cervical Descending aorta visceral : Bronchial Esophageal Mediastinal parietal : Posterior intercostal 3 -- 11 Subcostal Superior phrenic Arteries of the abdomen and pelvis Abdominal aorta Celiac Left gastric Esophageal branches Common hepatic Proper hepatic cystic Right gastric Gastroduodenal right gastroepiploic superior pancreaticoduodenal supraduodenal Splenic Pancreatic branches greater dorsal Short gastrics Left gastroepiploic Superior mesenteric Inferior pancreaticoduodenal Intestinal jejunal ileal arcades vasa recta Ileocolic colic anterior cecal posterior cecal ileal branch appendicular Right colic Middle colic Marginal Suprarenal Middle suprarenal Renal Inferior suprarenal Ureteral Gonadal Testicular artery Ovarian artery Lumbar Lumbar arteries Inferior mesenteric Left colic Marginal Sigmoid Superior rectal Common iliac Internal iliac Posterior surface Iliolumbar Lumbar branch Iliac branch Anterior surface Superior vesical artery Umbilical artery Medial umbilical ligament to ductus deferens Obturator Anterior branch Pubic branch Posterior branch Acetabular branch Cruciate anastomosis Corona mortis Middle rectal Vaginal branch ♀ / Prostatic branch ♂ Uterine ♀ Arcuate Vaginal branches Ovarian branches Tubal branches Spiral Vaginal ♀ / Inferior vesical ♂ Inferior gluteal Accompanying of sciatic nerve Cruciate anastomosis Internal pudendal Inferior rectal Perineal posterior scrotal posterior labial Bulb of penis / vestibule Urethral Deep artery of the penis helicine Deep artery of clitoris Dorsal of the penis Dorsal of the clitoris External iliac Inferior epigastric Corona mortis Deep circumflex iliac Femoral see arteries of lower limbs Median sacral Coccygeal glomus Arteries of the human arm Axillary Shoulder ( before teres minor ) 1st part Superior thoracic artery 2nd part Thoracoacromial artery pectoral branch acromial branch clavicular branch deltoid branch Lateral thoracic artery 3rd part Subscapular artery scapular anastomosis circumflex scapular artery thoracodorsal artery anterior humeral circumflex artery posterior humeral circumflex artery Brachial Forearm ( before cubital fossa ) profunda brachii radial collateral medial collateral ulnar collateral superior inferior Radial artery forearm radial recurrent wrist / carpus Dorsal carpal branch dorsal carpal arch Palmar carpal branch deep palmar arch hand Superficial palmar branch princeps pollicis radialis indicis artery superficial palmar arch Median artery median artery Ulnar artery forearm ulnar recurrent anterior posterior common interosseous anterior posterior interosseous recurrent wrist / carpus Dorsal carpal branch dorsal carpal arch Palmar carpal branch superficial palmar arch Arterial Arches Dorsal carpal arch dorsal metacarpal dorsal digital Palmar carpal arch superficial palmar arch common palmar digital proper palmar digital deep palmar arch palmar metacarpal Arteries of the human leg Inferior epigastric cremasteric ♂ / round ligament ♀ Deep circumflex iliac no major branches Femoral In femoral canal superficial epigastric superficial circumflex iliac superficial external pudendal deep external pudendal ( anterior scrotal ♂ Descending genicular saphenous branch articular branches Profunda femoris medial circumflex femoral ascending descending superficial deep acetabular lateral circumflex femoral descending transverse ascending perforating Cruciate anastomosis Trochanteric anastomosis Popliteal Genicular superior genicular ( medial, lateral ) middle genicular inferior genicular ( medial, lateral ) Sural no major branches Anterior tibial tibial recurrent posterior anterior ) anterior malleolar medial lateral dorsalis pedis : tarsal ( medial, lateral ) Tibial - fibular ( Tibial - peroneal ) trunk Posterior tibial circumflex fibular medial plantar lateral plantar fibular ( peroneal ) Arches arcuate dorsal metatarsal first dorsal metatarsal deep plantar dorsal digital arteries plantar arch plantar metatarsal common plantar digital proper plantar digital GND : 4003066 - 0 NDL : 00561681 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Artery&oldid=815089923 '' Categories : Angiology Cardiovascular physiology Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013 Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Aragonés ܐܪܡܝܐ Asturianu Azərbaycanca বাংলা Bân - lâm - gú Беларуская Български Bosanski Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Hrvatski Ido Bahasa Indonesia Interlingua Íslenska Italiano עברית Basa Jawa ಕನ್ನಡ Қазақша Kiswahili Kreyòl ayisyen Kurdî Кыргызча Latina Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Македонски മലയാളം Bahasa Melayu Монгол မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 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Question: what is the name of the main artery which takes blood from the heart to the body
Answer: The aorta; aorta; aorta; The aorta