Arterial tree

The Arterial Tree is a term used to describe the system of arteries that distribute oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The arterial tree begins with the aorta, the largest artery in the body, and branches out into progressively smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries.

Etymology

The term "arterial tree" is derived from the Latin arteria, meaning "windpipe, artery", and the Old English treow, meaning "tree". This is due to the branching structure of the arterial system, which resembles the branches of a tree.

Structure

The arterial tree begins with the aorta, which originates from the left ventricle of the heart. The aorta arches over the heart and descends into the abdomen, where it splits into the common iliac arteries.

From the aortic arch, three major arteries arise:

• The brachiocephalic artery, which further divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.
• The left common carotid artery, which supplies blood to the left side of the head and neck.
• The left subclavian artery, which supplies blood to the left arm.

The subclavian arteries, named for their position beneath the clavicle, give rise to several important branches, including the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and the internal thoracic arteries, which supply blood to the chest wall and breasts.

Related Terms

• Aorta: The main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen.
• Arterioles: Small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries.
• Capillaries: The smallest blood vessels in the body, which connect arterioles to venules and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrients and waste substances between blood and the tissues surrounding them.
• Subclavian artery: A major artery of the upper thorax, below the clavicle, with left and right instances.

See Also

• Circulatory system
• Venous tree
• Blood vessels