SEE: brachial artery for illus.

circumflex iliac a.A branch of the external iliac artery. It innervates the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles.

circumflex scapular a.A terminal branch of the subscapular artery. It supplies blood to the infraspinatus and subscapularis muscles and anastomoses with the transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries.

coccygeal a.Any of the branches of the internal iliac artery that supply blood to the coccyx and surrounding tissues.

coiled a.Spiral artery.

colic a.

SEE: left colic artery; middle colic artery; right colic artery.

collateral a.Any of three arteries (radial collateral artery, median collateral artery, ulnar collateral artery) that are branches of the brachial artery and supply blood to the arm.

common carotid a.Either of two major arteries (left common carotid artery, right common carotid artery) to the head. The left common carotid usually arises from the aortic arch proximal to the left subclavian; the right common carotid is a branch of the brachiocephalic artery. Each common carotid artery runs rostrally in the carotid sheath and enters the neck (behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle) without branching. In the neck, between the level of the top of the trachea and the floor of the mouth, each common carotid artery divides into an internal and an external carotid artery.

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head); aorta (Branches of aorta); heart (The heart) for illus.

common hepatic a.A branch of the celiac artery. It runs forward and to the right. After giving off the gastroduodenal artery, the common hepatic artery continues toward the liver as the hepatic artery.

SEE: gastroduodenal artery.

common iliac a.Either of the pair of terminal branches of the abdominal aorta, each supplying blood to one side of the pelvis, abdominal wall, and lower limbs. Its two branches are the external and the internal iliac arteries.

SEE: external iliac artery; internal iliac artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta)for illus.

common interosseous a.A branch of the ulnar artery whose branches include the posterior and the anterior interosseous arteries.

SEE: brachial artery for illus.

communicating a.Either of two arteries (anterior communicating artery, posterior communicating artery) in the circle of Willis at the base of the brain.

coronary a.Any of three arteries (right coronary artery, left coronary artery, or their main branches).

SEE: illus.

cremasteric a.A branch of the inferior epigastric artery. In the male, it runs with and supplies blood to the spermatic cord; in the female, it runs with the round ligament.

cystic a.A branch of either the hepatic or the right hepatic artery. It follows the cystic duct to the gallbladder.

deep brachial a.Profunda brachii artery.

deep cervical a.A branch of the costocervical trunk (from the subclavian artery). It runs to the cervical vertebrae, supplies blood to the semispinalis cervicis muscles, and anastomoses with the descending branch of the occipital artery.

deep femoral a.A branch of the femoral artery, originating from the posterior side of the femoral artery and running in the posterior thigh. Its branches include the medial circumflex femoral and the lateral circumflex femoral arteries. SYN: profunda femoris artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

deep temporal a.Either of two arteries (posterior temporal artery, anterior deep temporal artery) that are the second and fifth branches of the second segment of the maxillary artery. They supply blood to the temporalis muscle.

descending palatine a.A branch of the maxillary artery. It runs inferiorly in the greater palatine canal and supplies blood to the hard palate. Its branches include the lesser and the greater palatine arteries.

digital a.Any of the arteries that run with the digital nerves along the medial and lateral sides of each finger.

SEE: brachial artery for illus.

dominant a.The coronary artery that supplies the posterior descending artery (PDA) of the heart. The coronary circulation is said to be right dominant when the PDA receives its blood flow from the right coronary artery, and left dominant when its flow comes from the left coronary artery, via the left circumflex artery.

dorsal a. of the penis Any of the arteries that run inside the Buck fascia along the dorsal surface of the penis, on either side of the deep dorsal vein. They are a branch of the internal pudendal artery.

dorsal scapular a.A branch of the subclavian artery. It runs with the dorsal scapular nerve and supplies blood to the rhomboid, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius muscles.

dorsalis pedis a.The continuation of the anterior tibial artery beyond the ankle, supplying blood to the foot.

elastic a.A large artery in which elastic connective tissue is predominant in the middle layer (tunica media). Elastic arteries include the aorta and its larger branches (brachiocephalic, common carotid, subclavian, common iliac), which conduct blood to the muscular arteries.

end a.An artery whose branches do not anastomose with those of other arteries, e.g., the central artery of the retina. SYN: terminal artery.

esophageal a.Any of the branches of the thoracic aorta, inferior thyroid, or left gastric arteries that supply the esophagus. Esophageal arteries anastomose with each other.

ethmoidal a.Either of two arteries (anterior ethmoidal, posterior ethmoidal) that are branches of the ophthalmic artery and supply blood to the paranasal sinuses and the walls of the nasal cavity.

external carotid a.One of the two terminal divisions of the common carotid artery. It supplies blood to the extracranial parts of the head. The external carotid arises from the common carotid artery in the neck; it then runs behind the neck of the mand ible toward the rear of the parotid gland . Its major branches are (from bottom to top): the ascending pharyngeal, superior thyroid, lingual, facial, maxillary, occipital, posterior auricular, and superficial temporal arteries. The external carotid artery arises from the common carotid artery at about the level of the top of the trachea; it then runs behind the neck of the mand ible toward the rear of the parotid gland . Its major branches are (from bottom to top): the ascending pharyngeal, superior thyroid, lingual, facial, maxillary, occipital, posterior auricular, and superficial temporal arteries.

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head) for illus.

external iliac a.One of the two end branches of the common iliac artery. It runs, retroperitoneally, along the linea terminalis of the pelvis. Its branches include the artery and the deep circumflex iliac artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

external pudendal a.Either the deep or the superficial external pudendal artery.

facial a.The fourth branch of the external carotid artery. It supplies blood to the submand ibular gland , the lips, the nose, the facial muscles, and the angle of the eye. Its branches include the ascending palatine, tonsillar, submental, inferior and superior labial, and lateral nasal arteries.

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head) for illus.

femoral a.The continuation of the external iliac artery beyond the inguinal ligament. It runs in the femoral sheath between the femoral nerve (laterally) and the femoral vein (medially). Its branches include the superficial epigastric, the superficial circumflex iliac, the external pudendal, the deep femoral, and the descending genicular arteries. Behind the knee, the femoral artery continues as the popliteal artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

fibular a.Peroneal artery.

gastric a.

SEE: left gastric artery; right gastric artery.

gastroduodenal a.A branch of the common hepatic artery. It runs behind the duodenum and branches into the right gastroepiploic artery and the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

gastroepiploic a.

SEE: left gastroepiploic artery; right gastroepiploic artery.

genicular a.Any of several arteries: the descending genicular artery, which is a branch of the femoral artery; or the lateral superior artery, medial superior artery, lateral inferior artery, medial inferior artery, or middle genicular artery, all of which are branches of the popliteal artery.

gluteal a.

SEE: inferior gluteal artery; superior gluteal artery.

glaserian artery A branch of the internal maxillary artery that supplies the tympanum.

greater palatine a.A branch of the maxillary artery, running in the roof of the mouth and supplying blood to the palate, the incisive canal, and the nasal septum.

hemorrhoidal a.Rectal artery.

hepatic a.The continuation of the common hepatic artery past where the gastroduodenal artery branches off. The hepatic artery gives off the cystic artery (a branch to the gallbladder) and the right gastric artery (a branch to the stomach) before it divides into the right and left hepatic arteries, which deliver systemic (oxygenated) blood to the liver.

SEE: liver for illus.

high-takeoff coronary a.A coronary artery that originates more than a centimeter above the sinotubular junction of the aorta.

hyaloid a.A fetal artery that supplies nutrition to the lens. It disappears in the later months of gestation.

hypogastric a.Internal iliac artery.

hypophyseal a.Either of two arteries (superior hypophyseal artery, interior hypophyseal artery) that are intracranial branches of the internal carotid or the posterior communicating arteries and supply blood to the hypophysis (pituitary gland ).

ileal a.A branch of the ileocolic artery. It supplies blood to the lower ileum.

ileocolic a.A lower branch of the superior mesenteric artery. It runs down and to the right to supply blood to the lower portion of the ascending colon and the ileocolic junction. Its inferior branch gives rise to the ascending colic, cecal, appendicular, and ileal arteries.

iliolumbar a.A branch of the internal iliac artery. It supplies blood to the iliacus, psoas major, and quadratus lumborum muscles.

infarct-related a.An artery whose obstruction has resulted in the death of tissue, typically, in the heart or brain.

inferior alveolar a.The fifth branch of the first segment of the maxillary artery. With the inferior alveolar nerve, the inferior alveolar artery enters the mand ibular canal through the mand ibular foramen. Before entering the foramen, the inferior alveolar artery gives off the mylohyoid artery; the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar artery is the mental artery.

inferior epigastric a.A branch of the external iliac artery, just above the inguinal ligament. It runs upward and medially along the anterior abdominal wall medial to the internal inguinal ring, then continues upward in the rectus sheath, and eventually anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery.

inferior gluteal a.A branch of the internal iliac artery. It leaves the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen, below the piriformis muscle, and supplies blood to the gluteus maximus muscle. Its branches include the sciatic and coccygeal arteries, and it anastomoses with the lateral and medial circumflex femoral arteries.

inferior labial a.A branch of the facial artery. It runs beneath the muscles of the lower lip and anastomoses with the mental artery and the contralateral inferior labial artery.

inferior mesenteric a.The third unpaired midline artery that branches from the abdominal aorta and originates 3 to 4 cm proximal to the aortic bifurcation. It supplies blood to the hindgut. Its branches include the left colic, sigmoid, and superior rectal arteries.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta), circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels) for illus.

inferior pancreatic a.A branch of the superior mesenteric artery. It supplies blood to the proximal duodenum and the head of the pancreas, and it anastomoses with the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery. SYN: inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

inferior pancreaticoduodenal a.Inferior pancreatic artery

inferior phrenic a.A branch of the abdominal aorta just below the diaphragm. It supplies blood to the diaphragm. Its branches include the superior adrenal arteries. SYN: phrenic artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

inferior rectal a.A branch of the pudendal artery. Its two or three branches supply blood to the anus.

inferior thyroid a.A branch of the thyrocervical trunk. It winds upward behind the carotid sheath and then runs medially toward the thyroid gland . Its branches include the ascending cervical, pharyngeal, inferior laryngeal, and superior and inferior thyroid arteries.

infraorbital a.A branch of the maxillary artery. It enters the rear of the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure, runs in the infraorbital groove, and emerges on the face through the infraorbital foramen. It supplies blood to the canine and incisor teeth, the lower eyelid, upper lip, and cheek.

innominate a.The large artery arising from the arch of the aorta, deep to the manubrium of the sternum, and running to the right. It ends by dividing into the right subclavian and the right common carotid arteries.SYN: brachiocephalic artery; brachiocephalic trunk.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta); circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels); head (Arteries and veins of the head) for illus.

intercostal a.Any of the nine pairs of arteries that originate from the thoracic aorta and run between the ribs to supply blood to the skin, muscles, and bones of the chest wall. These aortic intercostal arteries run in interspaces 3 to 11. The intercostal arteries of the first two interspaces are branches of the superior intercostal artery. The anterior (sternal) segments of the upper nine intercostal spaces receive their blood supplies from the anterior intercostal arteries (branches of the internal mammary artery). SYN: posterior intercostal artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

interlobar a.A branch of the lobar artery of the kidney. It runs between the kidney pyramids and toward the cortex of the kidney and gives rise to the arcuate arteries.

interlobular a.A branch of the arcuate artery in the kidney. The interlobular arteries run in the cortex of the kidney and give rise to the afferent glomerular arteries.

internal auditory a.A branch of the basilar artery. It enters the internal auditory meatus, with the facial (CN VII) and vestibular acoustic (CN VIII) nerves, and supplies blood to the structures of the inner ear.

internal carotid a.One of the two divisions of the common carotid artery. After branching from the common carotid, the internal carotid continues in the carotid sheath to the carotid foramen in the base of the skull just anterior to the jugular foramen. The internal carotid then turns forward and runs in the carotid canal inside the petrous part of the temporal bone. Passing over the foramen lacerum, the internal carotid emerges from its canal and follows the carotid groove upward along the medial wall of the middle cranial fossa, passing through the cavernous sinus. Just below the optic nerve, the internal carotid loops back and turns upward to become the middle cerebral artery of the circle of Willis. As it passes the optic nerve, the internal carotid puts out its first major branch, the ophthalmic artery.

Each internal carotid artery supplies blood to the ipsilateral eye and about 80% of the ipsilateral brain, including most of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes and the basal ganglia. These regions include the primary motor and sensory cortices; therefore, a blockage of the internal carotid artery circulation, e.g., a unilateral ischemic stroke, often produces unilateral motor weakness or sensory loss on the opposite side of the body.

In the neck, the internal carotid artery contains two receptor sites, the carotid body, a chemoreceptor for the oxygen concentration of the blood, and baroreceptors that detect and respond to arterial pressure.

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head); brain (Major arteries of the brain); and circle of Willis for illus.

internal iliac a.One of the two branches of the common iliac artery; it arises at the level of the lumbosacral disc. SYN: hypogastric artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

internal mammary a.

ABBR: IMA

internal pudendal a.A branch of the internal iliac artery. The internal pudendal artery leaves the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen alongside the inferior gluteal artery, below the piriformis muscle; the artery then reenters the pelvis, running into the ischiorectal fossa via the lesser sciatic foramen. Its branches include the posterior scrotal, posterior labial, perineal, and inferior rectal arteries and the deep artery of the penis or clitoris, the dorsal artery of the penis or clitoris, and the artery of the bulb of the penis.

internal spermatic a.Testicular artery.

internal thoracic a.

ABBR: ITA

interosseous a.The anterior, the common, or the posterior interosseous artery.

intersegmental a.In the embryo, any one of the paired arteries branching from the dorsal aorta and running with the spinal nerves.

interventricular a.The left anterior descending coronary artery or the posterior descending coronary artery.

jejunal a.Any of the branches of the superior mesenteric artery that supply blood to the jejunum.

labial a.The superior or the inferior labial artery.

labyrinthine a.A branch of the basilar or the anterior inferior cerebellar artery; it enters the internal acoustic meatus and supplies blood to the inner ear.

laryngeal a.The superior laryngeal artery (a branch of the superior thyroid artery) or the inferior laryngeal artery (a branch of the inferior thyroid artery), which supply blood to the larynx.

lateral plantar a.One of the two terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery; it runs in an arc on the plantar side of the foot, first coursing laterally from the medial side of the calcaneus bone and then curving medially to form the plantar arterial arch.

lateral thoracic a.A branch of the axillary artery; it supplies blood to the pectoralis minor muscle and to the mammary gland .

left anterior descending a.

ABBR: LAD

left anterior descending coronary a.

ABBR: LAD coronary artery

SEE: heart for illus.

left circumflex a.

ABBR: LCx

SEE: heart (The heart) for illus.

left circumflex coronary a.Left circumflex artery.

left colic a.A branch of the inferior mesenteric artery. It runs to the left, supplies blood to the descending colon, and anastomoses with the middle colic artery and the upper sigmoid artery.

left common carotid a.

SEE: common carotid artery.

left coronary a.

ABBR: LCA

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.; heart (The heart) for illus.

left descending a.Left anterior descending coronary artery.

left descending coronary a.Left anterior descending coronary artery.

left gastric a.A branch of the celiac artery that runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach, to which it supplies blood; its esophageal branches supply blood to the esophagus below the diaphragm.

SEE: circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels) for illus.

left gastroepiploic a.A branch of the splenic artery. It runs down along the greater curvature of the stomach, to which it supplies blood. SYN: left gastro-omental artery.

left gastro-omental a.Left gastroepiploic artery

left main coronary a.Left coronary artery.

lenticulostriate a.A branch of the middle or the anterior cerebral artery that supplies blood to the basal ganglia and much of the internal capsule.

lingual a.The third branch of the external carotid artery; it supplies blood to the tongue, the suprahyoid region of the neck, the sublingual gland , and the palatine tonsils. Its branches include the suprahyoid, deep lingual, and sublingual arteries.

lobar a.In the kidney, a branch of the segmental artery (which is a branch of the renal artery). Each pyramid of the kidney has one lobar artery; lobar arteries branch into two or three interlobar arteries.

lumbar a.One of several branches of the abdominal aorta that run toward the lumbar spine; they supply blood to the vertebral bodies, the muscles of the lower back and the posterior wall of the abdomen. The lumbar arteries anastomose with each other and with the lower intercostal, the subcostal, and the superior and the inferior epigastric arteries.

mammary a.The internal mammary (thoracic) artery, a branch of the subclavian artery (lateral mammary artery), a branch of the lateral thoracic artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

marginal a.An arching feeder artery for the colon; it is composed of anastomoses of branches of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, and it runs in the mesentery parallel to the colon.

maxillary a.One of the terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It arises posterior to the neck of the mand ible, and its branches include the deep auricular, anterior tympanic, middle meningeal, petrosal, superior tympanic, frontal, parietal, accessory meningeal, inferior alveolar, mylohyoid, mental, masseteric, pterygoid, buccal, posterior superior alveolar, infraorbital, descending palatine, pterygoid, and sphenopalatine arteries.

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head) for illus.

medial plantar a.One of the two terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery; it runs along the medial side of the foot.

median sacral a.The final unpaired midline artery branching from the aorta; it originates 1 cm proximal to the aortic bifurcation, and it ends in the coccyx. Its branches include a pair of lumbar arteries and a number of small arteries to the rectum.SYN: middle sacral artery.

meningeal a.The accessory, the anterior, the middle, or the posterior meningeal artery.

mental a.The terminal branch of the inferior alveolar artery; it exits the mand ible through the mental foramen to supply blood to the chin.

middle cerebral a.

ABBR: MCA

SEE: brain (Major arteries of the brain) and circle of Willis for illus.

middle colic a.A branch of the superior mesenteric artery. It runs to the right, supplies blood to the transverse colon, and anastomoses with the right colic artery and with branches of the left colic artery to contribute to the marginal artery.

middle meningeal a.The third branch of the first segment of the maxillary artery. It enters the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale and runs dorsally in the dura, branching widely along the side of the skull. It divides into a frontal and a parietal branch.

middle rectal a.A branch of the internal iliac artery or the inferior vesical artery; it supplies blood to the lower rectum and upper anal canal.

middle sacral a.Median sacral artery.

muscular a.A medium-sized artery with more smooth muscle than elastic tissue in the tunica media. Most named arteries are muscular arteries.

nasal a.The dorsal, the lateral, the posterior, or the septal nasal artery, which are branches of either the ophthalmic artery or the maxillary artery.

nodal a.The branch of the right coronary artery that supplies blood to the sinoatrial node.

nutrient a.An artery providing the blood supply to a bone.

obturator a.A branch of the internal iliac artery. It runs along the inner wall of the pelvis then leaves the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal to provide blood to the upper aspect of the medial compartment of the thigh.

occipital a.An end branch of the external carotid artery. It runs up the back of the scalp and supplies blood to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the meninges, and the scalp. Its branches include the sternocleidomastoid, meningeal, auricular, and mastoid arteries.

omentala.Any of the branches of the gastroepiploic (gastro-omental) arteries that supply blood to the omentum.

ophthalmic a.A branch of the internal carotid artery. It leaves the cranial cavity through the optic foramen with the optic nerve. In the orbit, it branches to form the lacrimal, supraorbital, anterior and posterior ethmoidal, medial palpebral, supratrochlear, dorsal nasal, meningeal, muscular, and ciliary arteries. In addition, it gives rise to the central retinal artery.

orbital a.Any of the branches of the infraorbital artery that supply the extraocular muscles.

ovarian a.In females, a branch of the abdominal aorta; it arises below the renal artery and it runs in the suspensory ligament of the ovary, supplying blood to the ovaries, their ligaments, the fallopian tubes, and the distal ureters. The ovarian artery anastomoses with the uterine artery.

palatine a.The descending palatine artery or one of its branches, the lesser or the greater palatine arteries.

pancreatic a.Any of the many small branches of the splenic or the superior mesenteric artery that supplies blood to the pancreas.

pancreaticoduodenal a.The superior or the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

parent a.1An artery from which another, smaller blood vessel originates.2An artery in which an aneurysm forms.

perforating a. SYN: perforator (2).

perineal a.A branch of the internal pudendal artery; it supplies blood to the urogenital diaphragm, the perineal muscles, and the skin of the scrotum or labium majus.

peroneal a.A branch of the posterior tibial artery. It runs behind the lateral side of the leg, between the tibialis posterior and flexor hallucis longus muscles; its branches include the lateral calcaneal artery. SYN: fibular artery.

pharyngeal a.

SEE: ascending pharyngeal artery.

phrenic a.Inferior phrenic artery.

plantar a.The medial or the lateral plantar artery.

popliteal a.The continuation of the femoral artery after it leaves the adductor canal. Its branches include the medial and lateral superior genicular, middle genicular, and medial and lateral inferior genicular arteries.

posterior auricular a.An end branch of the external carotid artery; it supplies blood to the external ear, the tympanic membrane, and the posterior temporal scalp. Its branches include the stylomastoid, mastoid, and posterior tympanic arteries.

posterior cerebral a.The end branch of the basilar artery. It runs around the sides of the midbrain, through the tentorium cerebelli, and along the temporal and occipital lobes to end in the calcarine fissure (the primary visual cortex). Its branches supply blood to the posterior hypothalamus, the subthalamus, the choroid plexus of the third ventricle, the internal capsule, the ventral (inferior) surfaces of the temporal and occipital lobes, and parts of the thalamus and the midbrain. The posterior cerebral artery forms part of the cerebral arterial circle (of Willis).

SEE: brain (Major arteries of the brain) and circle of Willis for illus.

posterior communicating a.An artery connecting the posterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries at the base of the brain. It is a contributor to the cerebral arterial circle (of Willis).

SEE: brain (Major arteries of the brain) and circle of Willis for illus.

posterior descending a.

ABBR: PDA

posterior descending coronary a.Posterior descending artery.

posterior inferior cerebellar a.A branch of the vertebral arteries; it runs dorsally along the edge of the hindbrain and supplies the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle, the lateral hindbrain, the inferior cerebellar peduncle, and posterior regions of the cerebellum.

SEE: brain (Major arteries of the brain) for illus.

posterior intercostal a.Intercostal artery

posterior interosseous a.A branch of the common interosseous artery; it descends through the forearm between the superficial and deep layers of muscle.

posterior interventricular a.Posterior descending artery.

posterior meningeal a.The terminal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery. It enters the skull through the jugular foramen to supply the meninges of the cerebellar fossa.

posterior spinal a.Either of two arteries (left posterior spinal artery and right posterior spinal artery) that run separately along the dorsal surface of the spinal cord and supply blood to the posterior half of the spinal cord. The posterior spinal arteries are branches of the vertebral arteries; at each intervertebral foramen, radicular arteries anastomose with the posterior spinal arteries.

posterior tibial a.The continuation of the popliteal artery below the popliteus muscle. Its branches include the anterior tibial, the fibular (peroneal), the posterior medial malleolar, and the medial calcaneal arteries. The posterior tibial artery continues into the foot posterior to the medial malleolus. At the level of the calcaneus, it branches into the medial and lateral plantar arteries, which run in the plantar side of the foot.

profunda brachii a.A branch of the brachial artery that dives to the back of the arm and runs beside the radial nerve. Its branches include the radial collateral and medial collateral arteries. SYN: deep brachial artery.

SEE: brachial artery for illus.

profunda femoris a.Deep femoral artery.

a. of the pterygoid canal Vidian artery.

pudendal a.The external or the internal pudendal artery.

pulmonary a.

ABBR: PA

SEE: circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels) and heart (The heart) for illus.

radial a.A branch of the brachial artery that begins at the level of the cubital fossa and ends in the deep palmar arterial arch of the hand . It supplies blood to the forearm, the lateral side of the wrist, and the palm, and its branches include the radial recurrent, superficial palmar, palmar carpal, dorsal carpal, dorsal metacarpal, and dorsal digital arteries.

SEE: brachial artery for illus.

radicular a.Any of the arteries that are branches of the vertebral, deep cervical, ascending cervical, inferior thyroid, posterior intercostal, lumbar, or lateral sacral arteries and that enter the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina to divide and then to join the posterior and anterior spinal arteries.

rectal a.The superior, the middle, or the inferior rectal artery. SYN: hemorrhoidal artery.

renal a.Any of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta that supply blood to the kidneys, the adrenal gland , and the superior portion of the ureter. The right renal artery is longer than the left and passes posterior to the inferior vena cava and the right renal vein. Branches of the renal artery include segmental arteries of the kidney, ureteric arteries, and inferior suprarenal arteries.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

right colic a.A branch of the superior mesenteric artery; it runs to the right, it supplies blood to the ascending colon, and it anastomoses with the middle colic artery and branches of the ileocolic artery.

right common carotid a.

SEE: common carotid artery.

right coronary a.

ABBR: RCA

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) and heart (The heart) for illus.

right gastric a.A branch of the hepatic artery that runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach, beginning in the pyloric region, and that meets and anastomoses with the left gastric artery.

right gastroepiploic a.A terminal branch of the gastroduodenal artery; it runs up along the greater curvature of the stomach from the pyloric region.

right main coronary a.Right coronary artery.

root a.An artery accompanying a nerve root into the spinal cord.

sacral a.The median sacral artery, which is the last unpaired branch of the aorta, or the lateral sacral artery, which is a branch of the internal iliac artery.

scapular a.The circumflex scapular or the dorsal scapular artery.

sciatic a.A branch of the inferior gluteal artery that runs alongside the sciatic nerve.

sheathed a.The terminal portion of a pulp artery in the spleen. It has distinctive thickenings in its walls.

short gastric aOne of the five to seven small branches of the splenic artery that innervate the fundus and the upper region of the greater curvature of the stomach.

sigmoid a.Any of three branches of the inferior mesenteric artery; they run to the left, they supply blood to the sigmoid colon, and they anastomose with the left colic and superior rectal arteries.

spermatic a.Testicular artery.

sphenopalatine a.An end branch of the maxillary artery; it runs into the posterior nasal cavity and it also supplies blood to the frontal, maxillary, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal sinuses. Its branches include the posterior lateral nasal and posterior septal arteries, and it anastomoses with the ethmoidal, greater palatine, and superior labial arteries.

spinal a.The anterior or the posterior spinal artery.

spiral a.The coiled terminal branch of a uterine artery. It supplies the superficial two thirds of the endometrium, and , in a pregnant uterus, it empties into intervillous spaces, supplying blood that bathes the chorionic villi at the placental site. SYN: coiled artery.

splenic a.A branch of the celiac artery. It runs to the left, under the stomach and along the pancreas to the hilum of the spleen where it divides into six or more branches. It supplies blood to the spleen, stomach, omentum, and pancreas.

SEE: circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels) for illus.

striate a.A lenticulostriate or a thalamostriate artery (a branch of the posterior cerebral artery) that supplies blood to the striate nucleus of the brain.

striated a.One of the branches of the middle cerebral artery that supply the basal nuclei of the brain.

subclavian a.A large horizontal artery at the base of the neck. It supplies blood to the neck, shoulder, upper chest, and arm. The right subclavian artery originates from the brachiocephalic trunk; the left subclavian artery originates from the aortic arch. The branches of the subclavian (beginning at its origin) are the vertebral artery, the thyrocervical trunk, the internal mammary (thoracic) artery, the costocervical trunk, and the transverse scapular artery

SEE: head (Arteries and veins of the head); aorta (Branches of aorta); and heart (The heart) for illus.

sublingual a.A branch of the lingual artery that supplies blood to the sublingual gland and tongue.

submental a.A branch of the facial artery. It supplies blood to the submand ibular gland and the chin.

subscapular a.A large branch of the axillary artery; it supplies blood to the posterior wall of the thorax and the latissimus dorsi and subscapularis muscles. Its branches include the thoracodorsal and circumflex scapular arteries.

sulcal a.A minute branch of the anterior spinal artery.

superficial epigastric a.A branch of the femoral artery. It supplies blood to the superficial fascia of the lower abdomen and the inguinal lymph nodes; it anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery.

superficial temporal a.An end branch of the external carotid artery. It supplies blood to the scalp in front of the ear and to the parotid gland s. Its branches include the transverse facial, middle temporal, anterior auricular, zygomaticoorbital, frontal, and parietal arteries.

superior cerebellar a.A branch of the basilar artery. It sends branches to the midbrain, pons, medial cerebellum, and deep cerebellar nuclei.

SEE: brain (Major arteries of the brain) for illus.

superior epigastric a.A terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery. It runs inferiorly through the anterior aspect of the diaphragm and enters the rectus sheath; it anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery.

superior gluteal a.A large branch of the internal iliac artery; it leaves the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen, superior to the piriformis muscle. Its branches include a superficial branch, which supplies blood to the gluteus maximus, and a deep branch, which supplies blood to the other gluteal muscles and to the greater trochanter of the femur. The superior gluteal artery anastomoses with the inferior gluteal, the deep circumflex iliac, and the lateral femoral circumflex arteries.

superior intercostal a.A branch of the costocervical trunk that divides to form the intercostal arteries that run in the first two intercostal spaces.

superior labial a.A branch of the facial artery. It supplies blood to the upper lip and the rostral nasal cavity and nasal septum.

superior laryngeal a.A branch of the superior thyroid artery. It follows the internal laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve; it supplies blood to the larynx, and it anastomoses with the inferior laryngeal artery.

superior mesenteric a.

ABBR: SMA

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) and circulation (Circulation of blood through heart and major vessels) for illus.

superior pancreaticoduodenal a.A branch of the gastroduodenal artery. It supplies blood to the proximal duodenum and the head of the pancreas and anastomoses with the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

superior phrenic a.A branch of the thoracic aorta. It supplies blood to the diaphragm.

superior rectal a.The terminal branch of the inferior mesenteric artery. It supplies blood to the upper rectum.

superior thyroid a.The first branch of the external carotid artery. It supplies blood to the surrounding muscles, the infrahyoid region of the neck, the larynx, and the thyroid gland , where it anastomoses with the inferior thyroid artery. Its branches include the infrahyoid, superior laryngeal, sternocleidomastoid, and cricothyroid arteries.

supraorbital a.A branch of the ophthalmic artery. It supplies blood to the forehead, frontal sinus, and the anterior aspect of the scalp.

suprarenal a.Adrenal artery.

suprascapular a.A branch of the thyrocervical trunk (from the subclavian artery). It runs over the superior transverse scapular ligament in the scapular notch and supplies blood to the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae. Its branches include the acromial arteries; it anastomoses with the subscapular and transverse cervical arteries.

supratrochlear a.A branch of the ophthalmic artery; it supplies blood to the frontal and medial aspects of the scalp.

sural a.A large branch of the popliteal artery. It supplies blood to the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles.

sylvian a.The middle cerebral artery in the lateral fissure (of Sylvius).

temporal a.

SEE: deep temporal artery; superficial temporal artery.

terminal a.End artery.

testicular a.In males, a long slender branch of the abdominal aorta arising inferior to the renal artery; it supplies blood to the testes, epididymis, cremasteric muscles, and lower aspect of the ureters. SYN: spermatic artery; internal spermatic artery.

SEE: aorta (Branches of aorta) for illus.

thoracic a.

SEE: internal thoracic artery; lateral thoracic artery.

thoracoacromial a.A branch of the axillary artery. Its branches run to the acromion, the clavicle, and the deltoid and pectoral muscles.

thoracodorsal a.A branch of the subscapular artery. It supplies blood to the back wall of the thorax and the latissimus dorsi muscle.

tibial a.

SEE: anterior tibial artery; posterior tibial artery.

thyroid a.

SEE: inferior thyroid artery; superior thyroid artery.

transverse cervical a.A branch of the thyrocervical trunk (from the subclavian artery). It runs posteriorly through the lower neck; its branches supply blood to the trapezius muscle and to the medial scapula.

transverse facial a.A branch of the superficial temporal artery. It supplies blood to the parotid gland , parotid duct, masseter muscle, and overlying skin. It anastomoses with the facial, masseteric, buccal, lacrimal, and infraorbital arteries.

tympanic a.Any of several arteries (the anterior, the inferior, or the superficial tympanic) that are branches of the maxillary artery or of the ascending pharyngeal artery. They supply blood to the tympanic cavity.

ulnar a.A branch of the brachial artery. It originates in the cubital fossa and ends in the deep palmar and superficial palmar arterial arches of the hand . It supplies blood to the forearm, the medial side of the wrist, the palm, and the hand . Its branches include the common interosseous, the anterior and posterior ulnar recurrent, the palmar carpal, and the dorsal carpal arteries.

SEE: brachial artery for illus.

umbilical a.In the embryo, either of a pair of arteries that originate in the embryonic aortas and carry blood from the embryo to the yolk sac and the chorion. In the adult, the lumen of the umbilical arteries disappears, and the arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments.

uterine a.In females, a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery; it supplies blood to the upper vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian (uterine) tubes.

vaginal a.A branch of the internal iliac artery. It supplies blood to the uterus and , with the uterine artery, forms the azygos artery of the vagina. The vaginal artery in females is a homologue of the inferior vesical artery in males.

SEE: vesical artery.

vertebral a.

ABBR: VA