Overview
This lecture covers the major arteries and veins used in embalming, focusing on their linear guides, anatomical guides, and anatomical limits, and concludes with an overview of cardiac circulation.
Key Concepts: Guides and Limits
- Each vessel has a linear guide (surface line), anatomical guide (adjacent structure), and anatomical limits (start/end points).
- Linear guide is an imaginary line used to locate deeper vessels on the surface.
- Anatomical guide uses a nearby anatomical structure to locate a vessel.
- Anatomical limits define the origin and termination of a vessel.
Major Vessels and Their Landmarks
- Common Carotid Artery:
- Linear guide from sternoclavicular articulation to ear lobe.
- Anatomical guide along medial border of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.
- Right starts at sternoclavicular articulation; left at second costal cartilage; both terminate at superior border of thyroid cartilage.
- Accompanying vein: Internal jugular vein.
- Subclavian Artery:
- Anatomical guide is the clavicle; used mostly in autopsy cases.
- Right starts at sternoclavicular articulation; left at second costal cartilage; both end at lateral border of first rib.
- Accompanying vein: Subclavian vein.
- Axillary Artery:
- Linear guide through the center of armpit parallel to axis of abducted arm.
- Anatomical guide along medial border of coracobrachialis muscle.
- Starts at lateral border of first rib, ends at inferior border of teres major tendon.
- Accompanying vein: Axillary vein.
- Brachial Artery:
- Linear guide from axilla to center of forearm just below elbow.
- Anatomical guide: Posterior to medial border of biceps brachii.
- Begins at inferior border of teres major tendon, ends just below elbow.
- Accompanying vein: Basilic vein.
- Radial/Ulnar Arteries:
- Radial: Thumb side forearm; linear guide from elbow bend to base of index finger.
- Ulnar: Pinky side; linear guide from elbow bend to medial palm.
- Accompanying veins: Radial vein and ulnar vein.
- Femoral Artery:
- Linear guide from center of inguinal ligament to medial condyle of femur.
- Anatomical guide through femoral (Scarpa’s) triangle.
- Starts posterior to inguinal ligament, terminates at adductor magnus opening.
- Accompanying vein: Femoral vein.
- Popliteal, Tibial, and Dorsalis Pedis:
- Popliteal runs behind knee; tibial arteries run down front and back of lower leg.
- Dorsalis pedis runs on top of the foot towards big and second toe.
Cardiac Circulation Overview
- Venous return to heart enters right atrium via superior/inferior vena cava.
- Blood flows right atrium → right ventricle → lungs via pulmonary arteries (deoxygenated).
- Returns oxygenated to left atrium via pulmonary veins → left ventricle → aorta.
- Aortic arch branches: 1) Brachiocephalic artery, 2) Left common carotid, 3) Left subclavian.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Linear Guide — Surface line indicating location of a vessel.
- Anatomical Guide — Anatomical structure used to locate a vessel.
- Anatomical Limits — Specific start and end points of a vessel.
- SCM (Sternocleidomastoid) — Large neck muscle used to locate carotid artery.
- Inguinal Ligament — Ligament marking start of femoral artery.
- Fossa — A shallow depression on body surface (e.g., antecubital fossa at elbow).
- Femoral Triangle (Scarpa’s Triangle) — Area used to locate femoral vessels.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read section on restricted cervical injection in lesson materials.
- Download, print, and complete the fillable outline for vessel guides and cardiac circulation.
- Review anatomical diagrams for vessel locations and practice identifying anatomical guides and limits.