Circulation Anatomy Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the role of superficial fascia of the limbs?
- Provides most of the body’s fat storage
- Contains superficial blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and sweat glands
What is the role of deep fascia of the limbs?
- Covers most of the body deep to the skin and superficial fascia
- Divides the limbs into compartments
The superficial/deep fascia contains dense/loose connective tissue
Superficial = loose connective tissue
Deep = dense connective tissue
Name the deep fascia of the upper limb (from proximal to distal)
- Pectoral fascia
- Deltoid fascia
- Brachial fascia
- Antebrachial fascia
Name the deep fascia of the lower limb (from proximal to distal)
- Fascia lata (thigh)
- Iliotibial tract
- Crural fascia (lower leg)
Why is knowing the routes of arterial supply important?
During trauma, limit blood loss by applying pressure proximal to the injury
Which pulse points should we be able to palpate?
- Common carotid
- Brachial
- Radial
- Femoral
- Popliteal
- Posterior tibial
- Dorsalis pedis
What are the main differences between superficial and deep veins?
Superficial ->
smaller, run in superficial fascia, drain into deep veins by piercing the deep fascia
Deep ->
thick, run deep to deep fascia, often found in neurovascular bundles
What are the 2 main superficial veins of the upper limb?
Cephalic vein
Basilic vein
Describe the route of the cephalic vein
Dorsal venous network in the hand -> lateral aspect of arm -> anterior midline of biceps brachii muscle -> deltopectoral groove -> drains into axillary vein in deltopectoral triangle
Describe the route of the basilic vein
Dorsal venous network in the hand -> medial aspect of forearm -> drains into brachial vein at mid-arm level
What is the median cubital vein and why is it important?
It is where the cephalic and basilic veins anastamose
It is often used for venepuncture
What are the 2 main superficial veins of the lower limb?
- Great saphenous vein
- Small saphenous vein
Describe the route of the great saphenous vein
Medial aspect of dorsal venous arch in foot -> anterior to medial malleolus bone -> up lateral aspect of leg with saphenous nerve -> 1 hands breath medial to patella -> femoral vein at femoral triangle
Describe the route of the small saphenous vein
Lateral aspect of dorsal venous arch in foot -> posterior midline of the leg -> drains into the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa
Which of the deep veins are not bilateral?
The SVC and the IVC only
What prevents backflow of blood from the deep venous system to the superficial venous system?
Blood travels from superficial veins to deep veins via perforating veins at an oblique angle
What are vena comitantes and why are they useful
- ‘Accompanying veins’ that travel with an artery within a vascular sheath
- Pulsations of the artery help move blood in the veins
Lymphatics in the limbs generally follow arteries/veins
Veins
Describe the route of superficial lymphatics in the upper limb
- Arise from plexuses in the fingers and hand
- Can follow basilic vein and drain into the cubital and lateral axillary lymph nodes
- Can follow cephalic vein and drain into apical axillary lymph nodes
- Axillary lymph nodes drain into subclavian lymphatics
Describe the route of deep lymphatics in the upper limb
- Follow deep veins of the upper limb
- Drain into the lateral axillary lymph nodes
- Axillary lymph nodes drain into the subclavian lymphatics
Describe the route of superficial lymphatics in the lower limb
- Those following the great saphenous tend to pass to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes then to deep inguinal or external iliac nodes
- Those following the small saphenous tend to pass to the popliteal lymph nodes then to deep inguinal or external iliac nodes
Describe the route of deep lymphatics in the lower limb
- Follow deep veins and drain into popliteal lymph nodes
- Deep inguinal lymph nodes
- Common iliac nodes
- Lumbar lymphatics
Ischaemia is…
Inadequate oxygenation of cells/tissues/organ due to an interruption to blood supply (arterial or venous)
