Major Arteries
The aortic arch gives offthe brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk splits into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. The subclavian artery gives off the vertebral and axillary arteries. The axillary artery continues as the brachial artery in the upper arm and splits into the ulnar and radial arteries in the forearm.
The thoracic aorta ends at the diaphragm. It supplies the organs and structures of the thorax. The abdominal aorta begins at the diaphragm. It splits into the left and right common iliac arteries in the lower trunk. The common iliac artery splits into the internal and external iliac arteries in the pelvis. The external iliac artery continues as the femoral artery, then becomes the popliteal artery in the region of the knee. The pPopliteal artery splits into anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The posterior tibial artery gives off the fibular artery and continues down the leg.
Major Veins
The superior vena cava collects blood from the brachiocephalic and azygos veins. The brachiocephalic vein collects blood from the vertebral, internal thoracic, internal and external jugular veins. The subclavian vein collects blood from the upper limbs through the axillary vein and empties into the brachiocephalic vein. The azygos vein runs up right the side of the vertebral column. The inferior vena cava collects blood from the abdominal organs and common iliac veins.
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