Artery

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart

For other uses, see Artery (disambiguation).

Artery

Diagram of an artery

Details
Identifiers
Latin| Arteria (plural: arteriae)
MeSH| D001158
TA98| A12.0.00.003
A12.2.00.001
TA2| 3896
FMA| 50720
Anatomical terminology

[edit on Wikidata]

An artery (plural arteries) (from Greek ἀρτηρία (artēríā) 'windpipe, artery')[1] is a blood vessel in humans and most other animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). 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 (lungs and placenta, respectively). The effective arterial blood volume is that extracellular fluid which fills the arterial system.

The arteries are part of the circulatory system, that 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.

## Contents

* 1 Structure
* 1.1 Development
* 2 Function
* 2.1 Aorta
* 2.2 Capillaries
* 3 Clinical significance
* 4 History
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Structure[edit]

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 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 collagen fibers and elastic tissue \- with the largest arteries containing vasa vasorum (small blood vessels that supply large blood vessels).[2] Most of the layers have a clear boundary between them, however the tunica externa has a boundary that is ill-defined. Normally its boundary is considered when it meets or touches the connective tissue.[3] Inside this layer is the tunica media, or media, which is made up of smooth muscle cells, elastic tissue (also called connective tissue proper) and collagen fibres.[2] The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood, is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. The elastic tissue allows the artery to bend and fit through places in the body. This layer is mainly made up of endothelial cells (and a supporting layer of elastin rich collagen in elastic arteries). The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen.

### Development[edit]

Arterial formation begins and ends when endothelial cells begin to express arterial specific genes, such as ephrin B2.[4]

## Function[edit]

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 by sending oxygenated blood to the heart, allowing the muscles to function. 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 as well).[5] 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.

Arteries have the highest pressure and have narrow lumen diameter. It consists of three tunics: Tunica media, intima, and external.

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 traveling 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[edit]

The aorta is the root systemic artery (i.e., main 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 first branches off of the aorta are the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle itself. These are followed by the branches of the aortic arch, namely the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid, and the left subclavian arteries.

### Capillaries[edit]

Main article: Capillaries

The capillaries are the smallest of the blood vessels and are part of the microcirculation. The microvessels 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[edit]

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 (1.9 psi; 13 kPa) above surrounding atmospheric pressure (about 760 mmHg, 14.7 psi, 101 kPa 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, being the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, 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.[6]

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[7][8] and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue.

Accidental intraarterial 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.[9]

## History[edit]

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 cadavers 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,[10] and ligaments were also called "arteries".[11]

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 the 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 previously limited to vessels’ permanent ligation.

Theodor Kocher reported that atherosclerosis often developed in patients who had undergone a thyroidectomy and suggested that hypothyroidism favors atherosclerosis, which was, in 1900s autopsies, seen more frequently in iodine-deficient Austrians compared to Icelanders, who are not deficient in iodine. Turner reported the effectiveness of iodide and dried extracts of thyroid in the prevention of atherosclerosis in laboratory rabbits.[12][citation needed]

## See also[edit]

* Vein
* Blood vessels

## References[edit]

1. ^ ἀρτηρία, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
2. ^ a b Steve, Paxton; Michelle, Peckham; Adele, Knibbs (2003). "The Leeds Histology Guide". `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
3. ^ Sidawy, Anton (2019). Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier, Inc. pp. 34–48. ISBN 9780323427913.
4. ^ 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.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ "U.S. Navy Standard First Aid Manual, Chapter 3 (online)". Retrieved 3 Feb 2003.
7. ^ Bertazzo, S. et al. Nano-analytical electron microscopy reveals fundamental insights into human cardiovascular tissue calcification. Nature Materials 12, 576-583 (2013).
8. ^ Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476-478 (2013).
9. ^ 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. 80 (6): 783–95. doi:10.1016/S0025-6196(11)61533-4. PMID 15945530. 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."
10. ^ Oxford English Dictionary.
11. ^ 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.
12. ^ 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[edit]

Look up artery in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arteries.

* Human arterial system

* v
* t
* e

Human systems and organs

Musculoskeletal system|

| 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
* Somatic system

Integumentary system|

* Skin
* Subcutaneous tissue
* Breast
* Mammary gland

Haematopoietic and immune systems|

* Myeloid
* Myeloid immune system
* Lymphoid
* Lymphoid immune system

Respiratory system|

* Upper
* Nose
* Nasopharynx
* Larynx
* Lower
* Trachea
* Bronchus
* Lung

Digestive system|

* Mouth
* Salivary gland
* Tongue
* Lips
* Tooth
* 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|

* Male
* Scrotum
* Penis
* Size
* Prostate
* Testicle
* Seminal vesicle
* Female
* Uterus
* Vagina
* Vulva
* Ovary
* Placenta

Endocrine system|

* Pituitary
* Pineal
* Thyroid
* Parathyroid
* Adrenal
* Islets of Langerhans

* v
* t
* e

Arteries and veins

Vessels|

| Arteries|

* Nutrient artery
* Arteriole
* Metarteriole
* Elastic artery

|

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|

* Microvessel
* 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

* v
* t
* e

Arteries of the head and neck

CCA|

| ECA|

| 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

supf. 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

ICA|

| 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, Recurrent artery of Heubner, Orbitofrontal artery)
* MCA (anterolateral central, Prefrontal artery, Superior terminal branch, Inferior terminal branch, Anterior temporal branch)
* posterior communicating
* anterior choroidal

ScA|

| 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

* v
* t
* e

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

* v
* t
* e

Arteries of the abdomen and pelvis

Abdominal
aorta|

| Inferior phrenic|

* Superior suprarenal

|

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

* v
* t
* e

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

* v
* t
* e

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

Authority control

National libraries|

* France (data)
* Germany
* Israel
* United States
* Japan
* Czech Republic

Scientific databases|

* Terminologia Anatomica
* 2

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