Arter: From 1 Different Sources
(arteri-, arterio-) combining form denoting an artery. Examples: arteriopathy (disease of); arteriorrhaphy (suture of); arteriovenous (relating to arteries and veins).
The condition of blood vessels that have thickened, hardened, and lost their elasticity-”hardening of the arteries.” Aging and the formation of blood-derived fatty plaques within or directly beneath the inner lining of the arteries are the common causes. Many of the large arteries aid blood transport from the heart by their rebound elasticity, “kicking” it out; smaller ones have muscle coats that need to contract and relax in response to nerves. All this is compromised when there is arteriosclerosis.... arteriosclerosis
Arteritis means in?ammation of an artery (see ARTERIES, DISEASES OF).... arteritis
See ANGIOGRAPHY.... arteriography
A small artery (see ARTERIES).... arteriole
See DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS.... patent ductus arteriosus
In?ammation of the TEMPORAL ARTERY. Also known as giant cell arteritis, it often affects other arteries too, mainly in the head. It predominantly affects the elderly. The artery becomes tender with reddening of the overlying skin; headache and blindness may also occur. The diagnosis is con?rmed by temporal artery BIOPSY, and treatment is with steroids (see STEROID).... temporal arteritis
See: ARTERITIS. ... giant cell arteritis
(See also HEART.) The right coronary artery arises from the right aortic sinus and passes into the right atrio-ventricular groove to supply the right ventricle, part of the intraventricular septum and the inferior part of the left ventricle. The left coronary artery arises from the left sinus and divides into an anterior descending branch which supplies the septum and the anterior and apical parts of the heart, and the circum?ex branch which passes into the left atrio-ventricular groove and supplies the lateral posterior surfaces of the heart. Small anastomoses exist between the coronary arteries and they have the potential of enlarging if the blood-?ow through a neighbouring coronary artery is compromised. Coronary artery disease is damage to the heart caused by the narrowing or blockage of these arteries. It commonly presents as ANGINA PECTORIS or acute myocardial infarction (see HEART, DISEASES OF).... coronary arteries
The blood vessel in the fetus through which blood passes from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, thereby bypassing the lungs, which do not function during intra-uterine life. (See CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF THE BLOOD.) The ductus normally ceases to function soon after birth and within a few weeks is converted into a ?brous cord. Occasionally this obliteration does not occur: a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus. This is one of the more common congenital defects of the heart, and one which responds particularly well to surgical treatment. Closure of the duct can also be achieved in some cases by the administration of indomethacin. (See HEART, DISEASES OF.)... ductus arteriosus
This artery arises from the brachial artery at the level of the neck of the radius. It passes down the forearm to the wrist, where it is easily palpated laterally. It then winds around the wrist to the palm of the hand to supply the ?ngers. (See ARTERIES.)... radial artery
A branch of the external carotid artery that is the main vessel supplying blood to the temple and scalp.... temporal artery
Surgical repair of an artery (see arterial reconstructive surgery).... arterioplasty
The artery that runs down the inner side of the upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow.... brachial artery
A major blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the leg. The femoral artery is formed in the pelvis from the iliac artery (the terminal branch of the aorta). It then runs from the groin, down in front of the thigh, and passes behind the knee to become the popliteal artery, which branches again to supply the lower leg.... femoral artery
Blockage of an artery supplying blood to the retina, most commonly due to thrombosis or embolism, The disorder can result in permanent blindness or loss of part of the field of vision, depending on the artery affected and whether or not the condition can be treated quickly enough.... retinal artery occlusion
Blood that leaves the heart. When it leaves the right ventricle, it is venous blood; and when it leaves the left ventricle, through the aorta, it is fresh, hot, oxygenated red stuff. After it has passed out to the capillaries and started to return, it is venous blood.... arterial
Arteries are vessels which convey oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body, limbs and internal organs. In the case of most arteries the blood has been puri?ed by passing through the lungs, and is consequently bright red in colour; but in the pulmonary arteries, which convey the blood to the lungs, it is deoxygenated, dark, and like the blood in veins.
The arterial system begins at the left ventricle of the heart with the AORTA, which gives o? branches that subdivide into smaller and smaller vessels. The ?nal divisions, called arterioles, are microscopic and end in a network of capillaries which perforate the tissues like the pores of a sponge and bathe them in blood that is collected and brought back to the heart by veins. (See CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF THE BLOOD.)
The chief arteries after the aorta and its branches are:
(1) the common carotid, running up each side of the neck and dividing into the internal carotid to the brain, and external carotid to the neck and face;
(2) the subclavian to each arm, continued by the axillary in the armpit, and the brachial along the inner side of the arm, dividing at the elbow into the radial and the ulnar,
which unite across the palm of the hand in arches that give branches to the ?ngers;
(3) the two common iliacs, in which the aorta ends, each of which divides into the internal iliac to the organs in the pelvis, and the external iliac to the lower limb, continued by the femoral in the thigh, and the popliteal behind the knee, dividing into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries to the front and back of the leg. The latter passes behind the inner ankle to the sole of the foot, where it forms arches similar to those in the hand, and supplies the foot and toes by plantar branches.
Structure The arteries are highly elastic, dilating at each heartbeat as blood is driven into them, and forcing it on by their resiliency (see PULSE). Every artery has three coats: (a) the outer or adventitia, consisting of ordinary strong ?brous tissue; (b) the middle or media, consisting of muscular ?bres supported by elastic ?bres, which in some of the larger arteries form distinct membranes; and (c) the inner or intima, consisting of a layer of yellow elastic tissue on whose inner surface rests a layer of smooth plate-like endothelial cells, over which ?ows the blood. In the larger arteries the muscle of the middle coat is largely replaced by elastic ?bres, which render the artery still more expansile and elastic. When an artery is cut across, the muscular coat instantly shrinks, drawing the cut end within the ?brous sheath that surrounds the artery, and bunching it up, so that a very small hole is left to be closed by blood-clot. (See HAEMORRHAGE.)... arteries
ARTERIES are the blood vessels that convey blood away from the heart to the tissues. The commonest cause of arterial disease is a degenerative condition known as atherosclerosis. Less commonly, in?ammation of the arteries occurs; this in?ammation is known as arteritis and occurs in a variety of conditions.
Atherosclerosis is due to the deposition of CHOLESTEROL into the walls of arteries. The process starts in childhood with the development of fatty streaks lining the arteries. In adulthood these progress, scarring and calcifying to form irregular narrowings within the arteries and eventually leading to blockage of the vessel. The consequence of the narrowing or blockage depends on which vessels are involved
– diseased cerebral vessels cause strokes; coronary vessels cause angina and heart attacks; renal vessels cause renal failure; and peripheral arteries cause limb ischaemia (localised bloodlessness).
Risk factors predisposing individuals to atherosclerosis include age, male gender, raised plasma cholesterol concentration, high blood pressure, smoking, a family history of atherosclerosis, diabetes and obesity.
Arteritis occurs in a variety of conditions that produce in?ammation in the arteries. Examples include syphilis – now rare in Britain
– which produces in?ammation of the aorta with subsequent dilatation (aneurysm formation) and risk of rupture; giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis), a condition usually affecting the elderly, which involves the cranial arteries and leads to headache, tenderness over the temporal arteries and the risk of sudden blindness; Takayasu’s syndrome, predominantly affecting young females, which involves the aortic arch and its major branches, leading to the absence of pulse in affected vessels; and polyarteritis nodosa, a condition causing multiple small nodules to form on the smaller arteries. General symptoms such as fever, malaise, weakness, anorexia and weight loss are accompanied by local manifestations of ischaemia (bloodlessness) in di?erent parts of the body.... arteries, diseases of
An abnormal communication between an artery and a vein. It is usually the result of an injury, such as a stab or a gunshot wound, which involves both a neighbouring artery and vein.... arterio-venous aneurysm
When coronary arteries, narrowed by disease, cannot supply the heart muscle with su?cient blood, the cardiac circulation may be improved by grafting a section of vein from the leg to bypass the obstruction. Around 10,000 people in the United Kingdom have this operation annually and the results are usually good. It is a major procedure that lasts several hours and requires the heart to be stopped temporarily, with blood circulation and oxygenation taken over by a HEART-LUNG MACHINE.... coronary artery vein bypass grafting (cavbg)
A narrowed or blocked coronary artery (see ARTERIES) can compromise the blood supply to the heart muscle (see HEART, DISEASES OF). A supportive tube or stent passed into each affected artery can restore the blood supply. The stent has a HEPARIN coating to stop blood clots from forming. Since it was ?rst performed in 1987, intracoronary stents have cut the reblockage rate from one in three patients who have had coronary ANGIOPLASTY to fewer than one in ten in cases where a stent was used with angioplasty.... intracoronary artery stenting
An operation to repair arteries that are narrowed, blocked, or weakened. Arterial reconstructive surgery is most often performed to repair arteries that have been narrowed by atherosclerosis. It is also used to repair aneurysms and arteries damaged as a result of injury. (See also angioplasty, balloon; coronary artery bypass; endarterectomy.)... arterial reconstructive surgery
Disorders of the arteries may take the form of abnormal narrowing (which reduces blood flow and may cause tissue damage), complete obstruction (which may cause tissue death), or abnormal widening and thinning of an artery wall (which may cause rupture of the blood vessel).
Atherosclerosis, in which fat deposits build up on artery walls, is the most common arterial disease.
It can involve arteries throughout the body, including the brain (see cerebrovascular disease), heart (see coronary artery disease), and legs (see peripheral vascular disease).
Atherosclerosis is the main type of arteriosclerosis, a group of disorders that cause thickening and loss of elasticity of artery walls.
Hypertension is another common cause of thickening and narrowing of arteries, and it increases the risk of a stroke or kidney failure.
Arteritis is inflammation of artery walls that causes narrowing and sometimes blockage.
Aneurysm is ballooning of an artery wall caused by the pressure of blood flowing through a weakened area.
Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, causing obstruction of the blood flow.
Blockage of an artery by a fragment of blood clot or other material travelling in the circulation is called an embolism.
Raynaud’s disease is a disorder involving intermittent spasm of small arteries in the hands and feet, usually due to cold.... arteries, disorders of
Any disorder of an artery (see arteries, disorders of).... arteriopathy
An abnormal communication directly between an artery and a vein. An arteriovenous fistula may be present at birth or result from injury. A fistula can also be created surgically for easy access to the bloodstream in dialysis.... arteriovenous fistula
The popular term for atherosclerosis.... hardening of the arteries
a narrow *catheter inserted into an artery for the purposes of continuous monitoring or blood gas analysis. It is used for short periods during phases of acute or critical illness and should be clearly labelled to prevent inadvertent use as a medication conduit. The femoral, axillary, or posterior tibial arteries can be used as insertion sites.... arterial line
a localized area of damage and breakdown of the skin due to inadequate arterial blood supply (*ischaemia). Usually it is seen on the feet of patients with severe atheromatous narrowings of the arteries supplying the legs.... arterial ulcer
n. surgical excision of an artery or part of an artery. This may be performed as a diagnostic procedure (for example, to take an arterial biopsy in the diagnosis of arteritis) or during reconstruction of a blocked artery when the blocked segment is replaced by a synthetic graft.... arteriectomy
n. the enlargement of pre-existing collateral channels to form collateral arteries in order to bypass an occluded primary artery (see collateral circulation). This is an active process involving remodelling of the vessel wall mediated by cellular and chemical signals.... arteriogenesis
n. inflammation of the arterioles (the smallest arteries), which may complicate severe hypertension. This produces necrotizing arteriolitis, which may result in kidney failure. A similar condition may affect the lung in pulmonary hypertension.... arteriolitis
n. see nephrosclerosis.... arteriolosclerosis
(arterial portography) n. an invasive imaging technique used to visualize the *portal vein. A diagnostic catheter is advanced to the superior mesenteric artery or splenic artery from the common femoral artery or radial artery. X-ray contrast is injected and images are taken as this passes through the artery and returns via the veins, to opacify the portal vein. The images obtained will show the portal vein on fluoroscopy. When it is combined with CT scanning (CT arterioportography), exquisite details of the portal vein and the liver will be obtained. As the liver is mainly supplied by the portal vein, this technique enhances the contrast of the normal liver and shows any abnormal areas very clearly. Tumours not seen on conventional CT scans are readily visible.... arterioportography
n. an incision into, or a needle puncture of, the wall of an artery. This is most often performed as a diagnostic procedure in the course of *arteriography or cardiac *catheterization. It may also be required to remove an embolus (see embolectomy).... arteriotomy
a thick-walled blood vessel that connects an arteriole directly with a venule, thus bypassing the capillaries. Arteriovenous anastomoses are commonly found in the skin of the lips, nose, ears, hands and feet; their muscular walls can constrict to reduce blood flow or dilate to allow blood through to these areas.... arteriovenous anastomosis
a direct communication between an artery and vein, without an intervening capillary bed. It can occur as a congenital abnormality or it may be acquired following injury or surgery. It may affect the limbs, lungs, or viscera and may be single or multiple. If the connection is large, the short-circuiting of blood may produce heart failure. Large isolated arteriovenous aneurysms may be closed surgically.... arteriovenous aneurysm
see angioma.... arteriovenous malformation
an artery in the base of the brain, formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries. It extends from the lower to the upper border of the pons Varolii and then divides to form the two posterior cerebral arteries.... basilar artery
see innominate artery.... brachiocephalic artery
(carotid stenosis) narrowing of the carotid artery, which reduces the supply of blood to the brain and is a cause of strokes. It is treated by surgical excision or bypass of the narrowed segment (see also endarterectomy) or by inserting a *stent into the carotid artery.... carotid artery stenosis
the front upper portion of the right ventricle adjoining the pulmonary arteries.... conus arteriosus
(CABG) *coronary revascularization in which a segment of a coronary artery narrowed by atheroma is bypassed by an *autologous section of healthy saphenous vein or internal mammary artery at *thoracotomy. The improved blood flow resulting from one or more such grafts relieves *angina pectoris and reduces the risk of *myocardial infarction. Recently developed techniques of *minimally invasive surgery have enabled the operation to be performed without the need for thoracotomy.... coronary artery bypass graft
the terminal branch of an artery, which does not communicate with other branches. The tissue it supplies is therefore probably completely dependent on it for its blood supply.... end artery
a fetal artery lying in the *hyaloid canal of the eye and supplying the lens.... hyaloid artery
the arteries that supply most of the blood to the lower limbs and pelvic region. The right and left common iliac arteries form the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta. Each branches into the external iliac artery and the smaller internal iliac artery.... iliac arteries
(brachiocephalic artery) a short artery originating as the first large branch of the *aortic arch, passing upwards to the right, and ending at the lower neck near the right sternoclavicular joint. Here it divides into the right common carotid and the right subclavian arteries.... innominate artery
the artery that conveys blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation: the only artery in the body containing deoxygenated blood. It leaves the right ventricle and passes upwards for 5 cm before dividing into two, one branch going to each lung. Within the lungs each pulmonary artery divides into many fine branches, which end in capillaries in the alveolar walls. See also pulmonary circulation.... pulmonary artery
either of two large arteries arising from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys. Each renal artery divides into an anterior and a posterior branch before entering the kidney.... renal artery
either of two arteries that originate from the abdominal aorta and travel downwards to supply the testes.... spermatic artery
(SPA) a surgical procedure to identify and occlude the sphenopalatine artery in the nose using endoscopic surgery. It is used in the treatment of severe epistaxis (nosebleed).... sphenopalatine artery ligation
either of two arteries supplying blood to the neck and arms. The right subclavian artery branches from the innominate artery; the left subclavian arises directly from the aortic arch.... subclavian artery
the main arterial trunk arising from the fetal heart. It develops into the aorta and pulmonary artery.... truncus arteriosus
a branch of the brachial artery arising at the elbow and running deep within the muscles of the medial side of the forearm. It passes into the palm of the hand, where it unites with the arch of the radial artery and gives off branches to the hand and fingers.... ulnar artery
a method of embolizing the uterine artery under radiodiagnostic control (see embolization). It has been successful in controlling postpartum haemorrhage and can also be used in treating fibroids, correcting arterial or venous malformations of the genital tract, and terminating abdominal and cervical pregnancies.... uterine artery embolization
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