Vascular Anatomy Flashcards

Which layer of a blood vessel wall contains smooth muscle and elastic fibers responsible for vasoconstriction and vasodilation?

Answer: Tunica media

The tunica media contains smooth muscle and elastic fibers that regulate vessel diameter through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

The cephalic vein runs along which aspect of the forearm and upper arm?

Answer: Lateral (radial) aspect

The cephalic vein courses along the lateral (radial) aspect of the forearm and upper arm before emptying into the axillary vein.

What is the name of the vessel formed by the union of the radial and ulnar veins in the antecubital fossa?

Answer: Brachial vein

The brachial vein is formed by the union of the radial and ulnar veins and accompanies the brachial artery in the upper arm.

The thoracic duct drains lymph from which side of the body into the venous system?

Answer: Most of the body except the right upper quadrant

The thoracic duct drains lymph from the entire body except the right upper quadrant (right head, neck, arm, and right thorax), which is drained by the right lymphatic duct.

Which anatomical landmark identifies the transition from the external jugular vein to the subclavian vein?

Answer: Junction with the anterior scalene muscle

The external jugular vein passes over the anterior scalene muscle before joining the subclavian vein, marking this anatomical transition.

In the antecubital fossa, the median cubital vein typically connects which two superficial veins?

Answer: Cephalic and basilic veins

The median cubital vein is an oblique communicating vein that connects the cephalic and basilic veins across the antecubital fossa.

What anatomical feature of veins prevents retrograde blood flow?

Answer: Semilunar valves within the lumen

Veins contain semilunar (bicuspid) valves within their lumen that open with antegrade flow and close to prevent retrograde (backward) blood flow.