blood vessel

/ˌblʌd ˈvɛsəl/

/bləd ˈvɛsɪl/

Other forms: blood vessels

Definitions of blood vessel

1. noun

   a vessel in which blood circulates
   types:

   arteria, arterial blood vessel, artery

   a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body

   ductus arteriosus

   a blood vessel in a fetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the ascending aorta; normally closes at birth

   vasa vasorum

   any small blood vessel ramifying on the outside of a major artery or vein

   vein, vena, venous blood vessel

   a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart

   capillary, capillary vessel

   any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules

   glomerulus

   a small intertwined group of capillaries in the malpighian body; it filters the blood during urine formation

   tomentum, tomentum cerebri

   a network of tiny blood vessels between the cerebral surface of the pia mater and the cerebral cortex

   alveolar artery, arteria alveolaris

   a branch of the maxillary artery that supplies the alveolar process

   angular artery, arteria angularis

   the terminal branch of the facial artery

   aorta

   the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries

   appendicular artery, arteria appendicularis

   the branch of the ileocolic artery that supplies the vermiform appendix

   arcuate artery, arteria arcuata

   curved artery in the foot

   arcuate artery of the kidney

   curved arteries of the kidney

   arteriola, arteriole, capillary artery

   one of the small thin-walled arteries that end in capillaries

   arteria bulbi penis, artery of the penis bulb

   a branch of the internal pudendal artery of males that supplies the bulb of the penis

   arteria bulbi vestibuli, artery of the vestibule bulb

   a branch of the internal pudendal artery in females that supplies the bulb of the vestibule

   arteria ascendens, ascending artery

   the branch of the ileocolic artery that supplies the ascending colon

   arteria auricularis, auricular artery

   artery that supplies blood to the ear

   arteria axillaris, axillary artery

   the part of the main artery of the arm that lies in the armpit and is continuous with the subclavian artery above and the brachial artery below

   arteria basilaris, basilar artery

   an unpaired artery; supplies the pons and cerebellum and the back part of the cerebrum and the inner ear

   arteria brachialis, brachial artery

   the main artery of the upper arm; a continuation of the axillary artery; bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries at the elbow

   arteria radialis, radial artery

   branch of the brachial artery beginning below the elbow and extending down the forearm around the wrist and into the palm

   bronchial artery

   arteries that accompany the bronchioles

   arteria buccalis, buccal artery

   a branch of the maxillary artery that supplies blood to the buccinator muscle and the cheek

   arteria carotis, carotid artery

   either of two major arteries of the neck and head; branches from the aorta

   arteria celiaca, celiac artery, celiac trunk, truncus celiacus

   an artery that originates from the abdominal aorta just below the diaphragm and branches into the left gastric artery and the common hepatic artery and the splenic artery

   arteria centralis retinae, central artery of the retina

   a branch of the ophthalmic artery; enters the eyeball with the optic nerve

   arteria cerebelli, cerebellar artery

   an artery that supplies the cerebellum

   arteria cerebri, cerebral artery

   any of the arteries supplying blood to the cerebral cortex

   areteria cervicalis, cervical artery

   an artery that supplies the muscles of the neck

   arteria choroidea, choroidal artery

   an artery that supplies the choroid plexus

   arteria ciliaris, ciliary artery

   one of several arteries supplying the choroid coat of the eye

   circle of Willis

   a ring of arteries at the base of the brain

   circumflex artery

   any of several paired curving arteries

   arteria colica, colic artery

   arteries that supply blood to the colon

   arteria communicans, communicating artery

   any of three arteries in the brain that make up the circle of Willis

   arteria coronaria, coronary artery

   the artery that branches from the aorta to supply blood to the heart

   arteria cystica, cystic artery

   a branch of the hepatic artery; supplies the gall bladder and the surface of the liver

   arteria digitalis, digital arteries

   arteries in the hand and foot that supply the fingers and toes

   arteria epigastrica, epigastric artery

   one of three arteries supplying the anterior walls of the abdomen

   arteria ethmoidalis, ethmoidal artery

   a branch of the ophthalmic artery supplying structures in and around the nasal capsule

   arteria femoralis, femoral artery

   the chief artery of the thigh; a continuation of the external iliac artery

   arteria poplitea, popliteal artery

   a continuation of the femoral artery that branches to supply the legs and feet

   arteria gastrica, gastric artery

   the arteries that supply the walls of the stomach

   arteria glutes, gluteal artery

   branches of the internal iliac artery that supply the hip joint and gluteal region

   arteria hepatica, hepatic artery

   arteries that supply the liver

   arteria ileum, ileal artery, intestinal artery

   branch of the superior mesenteric artery that supplies the ileum

   arteria ileocolica, ileocolic artery

   an artery that originates from the superior mesenteric artery and supplies the terminal part of the ileum and the cecum and the vermiform appendix and the ascending colon

   arteria iliaca, iliac artery

   one of the large arteries supplying blood to the pelvis and legs

   arteria iliolumbalis, iliolumbar artery

   an artery that originates in the internal iliac artery and supplies the pelvic muscles and bones

   arteria infraorbitalis, infraorbital artery

   an artery that originates from the maxillary artery and supplies structures below the orbit (from lower eyelid to upper lip)

   innominate artery

   a large artery arising from the arch of the aorta and divides into the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery; supplies the right side of the neck and head and the right shoulder and arm

   arteria intercostalis, intercostal artery

   several arteries and supplying the intercostal spaces of the rib cage

   intestinal artery, jejunal artery

   an artery that is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery that supplies the jejunum

   arteria labialis, labial artery

   an artery that is a branch of the facial artery that supplies the lips of the mouth

   artery of the labyrinth, internal auditory artery, labyrinthine artery

   an artery that is a branch of the basilar artery that supplies the labyrinth

   arteria lacrimalis, lacrimal artery

   an artery that originates from the ophthalmic artery and supplies the lacrimal gland and rectal eye muscles and the upper eyelid and the forehead

   arteria laryngea, laryngeal artery

   either of two arteries that supply blood to the larynx

   arteria lienalis, lienal artery, splenic artery

   an artery that originates from the celiac trunk and supplies blood to the spleen

   arteria lingualis, lingual artery

   an artery originating from the external carotid artery and supplying the under side of the tongue

   arteria lumbalis, lumbar artery

   one of four or five pairs of arteries that originate in the abdominal aorta and supply the lumbar vertebrae and the back muscles and abdominal wall

   arteria maxillaris, maxillary artery

   either of two arteries branching from the external carotid artery and supplying structure of the face

   arteria meningea, meningeal artery

   any of three arteries supplying the meninges of the brain and neighboring structures

   arteria mesenterica, mesenteric artery

   one of two branches of the aorta that pass between the two layers of the mesentery to the intestines

   arteria metacarpea, metacarpal artery

   dorsal and palmar arteries of the hand

   arteria metatarsea, metatarsal artery

   dorsal and plantar arteries to the metatarsal region of the foot

   arteria musculophrenica, musculophrenic artery

   an artery that supplies the abdomen and intercostal muscles

   arteria nutricia, nutrient artery

   an artery that supplies the medullary cavity of the long bone

   arteria ophthalmica, ophthalmic artery

   a branch of the internal carotid artery that supplies the eye and neighboring structures

   arteria ovarica, ovarian artery

   the artery that branches from the aorta and supplies blood to the ovaries

   arteria palatina, palatine artery

   one of several arteries supplying the face

   arteria pancreatica, pancreatic artery

   a branch of the splenic artery that supplies the pancreas

   arteria perinealis, perineal artery

   a branch of the internal pudendal artery that supplies superficial structures of the perineum

   arteria pudenda, pudendal artery

   arteries supplying the external genital organs of humans

   arteria pulmonalis, pulmonary artery

   one of two arteries (branches of the pulmonary trunk) that carry venous blood from the heart to the lungs

   arteria rectalis, rectal artery

   one of the arteries supplying the rectal area

   arteria renalis, renal artery

   an artery originating from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys and adrenal glands and ureters

   arteria subclavia, subclavian artery

   either of two arteries that supply blood to the neck and arms

   arteria testicularis, internal spermatic artery, testicular artery

   a branch of the aorta supplying the testicles

   arteria ulnaris, ulnar artery

   large artery that branches from the brachial artery to supply the muscles of the forearm and wrist and hand

   arteria uterina, uterine artery

   a branch of the internal iliac artery that supplies the uterus and the upper part of the vagina

   arteria vaginalis, vaginal artery

   a branch of the internal iliac that provides blood for the vagina and the base of the bladder and the rectum

   arteria vertebralis, vertebral artery

   the first branch of the subclavian artery; divided into four parts

   accessory cephalic vein, vena cephalica accessoria

   a vein that passes along the radial edge of the forearm and joins the cephalic vein near the elbow

   accessory hemiazygos vein, accessory hemiazygous vein, vena hemiazygos accessoria

   a vein formed by the union of the 4th to 7th posterior intercostal veins; empties into the azygos vein

   accessory vertebral vein, vena vertebralis accessoria

   a vein that accompanies the vertebral vein but passes through the foramen of the transverse process of the 7th cervical vertebra and empties into the brachiocephalic vein

   accompanying vein, vena comitans

   a vein accompanying another structure; a vein may accompany an artery in such a way that the arterial pulses aid venous return

   anastomotic vein, vena anastomotica

   either of two communicating veins serving the brain

   angular vein, vena angularis

   a short vein formed by the supraorbital vein and the supratrochlear vein and continuing as the facial vein

   anterior vertebral vein, vena vertebralis anterior

   a vein that accompanies the ascending cervical artery and opens into the vertebral vein

   appendicular vein, vena appendicularis

   a vein that accompanies the appendicular artery and empties into the ileocolic vein

   arcuate vein of the kidney, vena arcuata renis

   veins that receive blood from interlobular veins of kidney and rectal venules

   auricular vein, vena auricularis

   one of two veins serving the ear region

   axillary vein, vena axillaris

   a continuation of the basilic vein and brachial vein that becomes the subclavian vein

   azygos vein, azygous vein, vena azygos

   one of a system of veins that drain the thoracic and abdominal walls; arises as a continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein and terminates in the superior vena cava

   basal vein, vena basalis

   a large vein passing along the medial surface of the temporal lobe and emptying into the great cerebral vein

   basilic vein, vena basilica

   a vein that drains the back of the hand and forearm and empties into the axillary vein

   basivertebral vein, vena basivertebralis

   one of a number of veins draining the spongy substance of the vertebrae and emptying into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus

   brachial vein, vena brachialis

   two veins in either arm that accompany the brachial artery and empty into the axillary vein

   brachiocephalic vein, innominate vein, vena brachiocephalica

   veins formed by the union of the internal jugular and subclavian veins

   bronchial vein, vena bronchialis

   veins serving the bronchi; empty into the azygos vein

   cardinal vein

   any of the major venous channels in primitive adult vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates

   central veins of liver, venae centrales hepatis

   terminal branches of the hepatic veins that lie in the hepatic lobules and receive blood from the liver sinusoids

   central vein of retina, vena centrales retinae

   vein formed by the union of the retinal veins; accompanies central arteries of the retina in the optic nerve

   central vein of suprarenal gland, vena centralis glandulae suprarenalis

   a single draining vein; on the right it empties into the inferior vena cava; on the left it empties into the left renal vein

   cephalic vein, vena cephalica

   a large vein of the arm that empties into the axillary vein

   cerebellar vein, vena cerebellum

   the veins draining the cerebellum

   cerebral vein, vena cerebri

   any of several veins serving the cerebral hemispheres of the brain

   cervical vein, deep cervical vein, vena cervicalis profunda

   a vein that accompanies an artery of the same name

   choroid vein, vena choroidea

   either of two veins serving the choroid coat of the eye

   ciliary veins, venae ciliares

   small veins coming from the ciliary body

   circumflex vein, vena circumflexa

   any of several curved parallel veins accompanying arteries of the same name

   clitoral vein, vena clitoridis

   veins that serve the clitoris

   colic vein, vena colica

   vein serving the large intestine

   common facial vein

   vein formed by union of facial vein and the retromandibular vein and emptying into the jugular vein

   conjunctival veins, venae conjunctivales

   veins draining the conjunctiva

   costoaxillary vein

   one of several veins connecting intercostal veins with the lateral thoracic vein or the thoracoepigastric vein

   cutaneous vein, vena cutanea

   one of a number of veins in the subcutaneous tissue that empty into deep veins

   cystic vein, vena cystica

   vein that drains the gallbladder

   digital vein, vena digitalis

   one of the veins serving the fingers or toes

   diploic vein, vena diploica

   one of the veins serving the spongy part of the cranial bones

   dorsal scapular vein, vena scapularis dorsalis

   vein that is a tributary of the subclavian vein or external jugular vein and accompanies the descending scapular artery

   emissary vein, vena emissaria

   one of several connecting veins in the scalp and head that drain blood from sinuses in the dura mater to veins outside the skull

   epigastric vein

   veins serving the anterior walls of the abdomen

   esophageal veins, oesophageal veins, venae esophageae

   small veins from the esophagus emptying into the brachiocephalic vein or the azygos veins

   ethmoidal vein, vena ethmoidalis

   veins that drain the ethmoidal sinuses and empty into the superior ophthalmic vein

   external nasal vein, vena nasalis externa

   one of the veins that drain the external nose and empty into the angular or facial vein

   facial vein, vena facialis

   any of several veins draining the face

   femoral vein, vena femoralis

   a vein that accompanies the femoral artery in the same sheath; a continuation of the popliteal vein; becomes the external iliac vein

   gastric vein, vena gastrica

   one of several veins draining the stomach walls

   gastroepiploic vein, gastroomental vein, vena gastroomentalis

   one of two veins serving the great curvature of the stomach

   genicular vein, vena genus

   veins that drain blood from structures around the knee; empty into the popliteal vein

   gluteal vein, vena gluteus

   veins draining the gluteal muscles on either side of the body

   hemizygos vein, hemizygous vein, vena hemizygos

   a continuation of the left ascending lumbar vein; crosses the midline at the 8th vertebra and empties into the azygos vein

   hemorrhoidal vein, rectal vein, vena rectalis

   any of several veins draining the walls of the anal canal and rectum

   hepatic vein, vena hepatica

   a vein that drains the liver; empties into the vena cava

   ileocolic vein, vena ileocolica

   a vein that drains the end of the ileum and the appendix and the cecum and the lower part of the ascending colon

   iliac vein, vena iliaca

   one of three veins draining the pelvic area

   iliolumbar vein, vena iliolumbalis

   a branch of the internal iliac vein

   intercapitular vein, vena intercapitalis

   veins connecting the dorsal and palmar veins of the hand or the dorsal and plantar veins of the foot

   intercostal vein, vena intercostalis

   several veins draining the intercostal spaces of the rib cage

   intervertebral vein, vena intervertebralis

   one of several veins accompanying spinal nerves

   jugular, jugular vein, vena jugularis

   veins in the neck that return blood from the head

   labial vein, vena labialis

   a vein draining the lips of the mouth

   labial vein, vena labialis

   veins draining the lips of the vulva

   internal auditory vein, labyrinthine vein

   veins that drain the inner ear

   lacrimal vein, vena lacrimalis

   drains the lacrimal gland; empties into the superior ophthalmic vein

   laryngeal vein, vena laryngea

   one of two veins draining the larynx

   lingual vein, vena lingualis

   a vein that receives blood from the tongue and the floor of the mouth and empties into the internal jugular or the facial vein

   lumbar vein, vena lumbalis

   veins that drain the posterior body wall and the lumbar vertebral venous plexuses

   maxillary vein, vena maxillaris

   posterior continuation of the pterygoid plexus; joins the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein

   meningeal veins, venae meningeae

   veins at accompany the meningeal arteries

   mesenteric vein, vena mesenterica

   a tributary of the portal vein passing from the intestine between the two layers of mesentery

   metacarpal vein, vena metacarpus

   dorsal and palmar veins of the hand

   metatarsal vein, vena metatarsus

   dorsal and plantar branches of veins serving the metatarsal region of the foot

   musculophrenic vein, vena musculophrenica

   veins that drain the upper abdominal wall and the lower intercostal spaces and the abdomen

   nasofrontal vein, vena nasofrontalis

   a vein located in the anterior medial part of the orbit; connects the superior ophthalmic with the angular vein

   oblique vein of the left atrium, vena obliqua atrii sinistri

   a tributary of the coronary sinus; on the posterior wall of the left atrium

   obturator vein, vena obturatoria

   a vein formed by the union of tributaries that drain the hip joints and thigh muscles; empties into the internal iliac vein

   occipital vein, vena occipitalis

   a vein that drains the occipital region

   ophthalmic vein, vena ophthalmica

   either of two veins that serve the eye; empties into the cavernous sinus

   ovarian vein, vena ovarica

   one of the veins that drain the ovaries; the right opens into the inferior vena cava; the left opens into the left renal vein

   palatine vein, vena palatina

   a vein that drains the region of the palate and empties into the facial vein

   pancreatic vein, venae pancreatica

   veins draining the pancreas and emptying into the superior mesenteric and splenic veins

   paraumbilical vein, vena paraumbilicalis

   small veins arising in skin around the navel; terminate as accessory portal veins

   parotid vein

   parotid branches of the facial vein; they drain part of the parotid gland and empty into the retromandibular vein

   pectoral vein, vena pectoralis

   veins that drain the pectoral muscles and empty into the subclavian vein

   perforating vein, vena perforantis

   veins that accompany the perforating arteries; drain leg muscles; empty into the deep femoral vein

   pericardial vein, vena pericardiaca

   several small veins from the pericardium

   fibular vein, peroneal vein, vena peroneus

   accompany the peroneal arteries; arising in the heel and running up the back of the leg to join the posterior tibial veins of the popliteal vein

   pharyngeal vein, vena pharyngeus

   veins from the pharyngeal plexus that empty into the internal jugular vein

   phrenic vein, vena phrenica

   either of two veins that drain the diaphragm

   popliteal vein, vena poplitea

   a vein arising in the knee and ascending to become the femoral vein

   hepatic portal vein, portal, portal vein, vena portae

   a short vein that carries blood into the liver

   posterior vein of the left ventricle, vena posterior ventriculi sinistri

   arises near the apex of the heart and empties into the coronary sinus

   prepyloric vein, vena pylorica

   a tributary of the right gastric vein

   pudendal vein, venae pudendum

   vein of the pudendum

   pulmonary vein, vena pulmonalis

   any of four veins that carry arterial blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

   radial vein, vena radialis

   superficial veins ascending the radial side of the forearm; combines with the ulnar veins to form the brachial vein

   renal vein, vena renalis

   veins that accompany renal arteries; open into the vena cava at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra

   sacral vein, vena sacralis

   vein of the sacral region

   saphenous vein, vena saphena

   either of two chief superficial veins of the leg that drain blood from the foot

   scleral veins, venae sclerales

   tributaries of the anterior ciliary veins that drain the sclera of the eye

   scrotal vein, vena scrotalis

   veins passing from the scrotum to the pudendal veins

   sigmoid vein, vena sigmoideus

   tributaries of the inferior mesenteric vein; drains the sigmoid colon

   spinal vein, vena spinalis

   veins that drain the spinal cord

   splenic vein, vena lienalis

   a vein formed by several small veins on the surface of the spleen; joins the superior mesenteric to form the portal vein

   sternocleidomastoid vein, vena sternocleidomastoidea

   drains the sternocleidomastoid muscle; empties into the internal jugular vein

   stylomastoid vein, vena stylomastoidea

   a vein that drains the tympanic cavity and empties into the retromandibular vein

   subclavian vein, vena subclavia

   a continuation of the axillary vein; joins the internal jugular to form the brachiocephalic vein

   sublingual vein, vena sublingualis

   a tributary of the lingual vein

   supraorbital vein, vena supraorbitalis

   drains the front of the scalp; unites with the supratrochlear vein to form the angular vein

   supratrochlear vein, vena supratrochlearis

   drains the front of the scalp; unites with the supraorbital vein to form the angular vein

   temporal vein, vena temporalis

   any of several veins draining the temporal region

   testicular vein, vena testicularis

   a vein from the testicles

   thalamostriate vein

   a vein serving the thalamus and corpus striatum

   thoracoepigastric vein, vena thoracoepigastrica

   a vein arising from the region of the superficial epigastric vein and opening into the axillary vein or thoracic vein

   thoracic vein, vena thoracica

   veins that drain the thoracic walls

   thyroid vein, vena thyroidea

   any of several small veins draining blood from the thyroid area

   tibial vein, vena tibialis

   veins of the lower leg; empty into the popliteal vein

   tracheal vein, vena trachealis

   several small veins from the trachea

   tympanic vein

   veins from the tympanic cavity that empty into the retromandibular vein

   ulnar vein, vena ulnaris

   any of several veins of the forearm

   umbilical vein, vena umbilicalis

   a vein in the umbilical cord; returns nutrient blood from the placenta to the fetus

   uterine vein

   one of two veins on each side that arise from the uterine plexus and empty into the internal iliac vein

   patent ductus arteriosus

   a ductus arteriosus that failed to close at birth; may require surgical correction

   varicose vein

   a vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs

   vena bulbi penis

   vein of the head of the penis; tributary of the internal pudendal vein that drains the perineum

   vena canaliculi cochleae

   vein of the cochlear canal

   vein of penis

   a vein serving the penis

   vena bulbi vestibuli

   vein of the vestibular bulb

   vena cava

   either of two large veins that return oxygen-depleted blood to the right atrium of the heart

   venae palpebrales

   veins of the eyelids

   venae interlobulares hepatis

   interlobular veins of the liver

   venae renis

   veins of the kidney; drain the kidney into the renal vein

   vena vertebralis, vertebral vein

   a vein that goes through the foramina of the cervical vertebrae and forms a plexus around the vertebral artery; empties into the brachiocephalic vein

   vena vesicalis, vesical vein

   veins that drain the vesical plexus and join the internal iliac veins

   vena vestibularis, vestibular vein

   veins that drain the saccule and utricle

   vena vorticosum, vortex vein, vorticose vein

   a vein formed by branches from the back surface of the eye and the ciliary body; empties into the ophthalmic veins

   capillary vein, venula, venule

   a minute vein continuous with a capillary

   type of:

   vas, vessel

   a tube in which a body fluid circulates