● The aorta continues through the thoracic cavity, through the diaphragm and into the abdominopelvic cavity.

More systemic arteries branch off the abdominal aorta to distribute oxygenated blood to the organs and
legs. Most of these vessels have been named due to their location or destination.

Locate and
highlight the
diaphragm.

Locate the following systemic arteries on both the diagram and the plastic human models.
(Some of the vessels may be restricted from view on certain models.)

R and L Common carotid artery

Brachiocephalic trunk

R and L Subclavian artery

R and L Axillary artery

R and L Brachial artery

R and L Renal artery

Abdominal aorta

R and L Common iliac artery

R and L External iliac artery

R and L Femoral artery

● Systemic veins collect the blood, which is now low in oxygen, and deliver it under
low pressure to the right atrium using either the superior vena cava or inferior vena
cava.

Locate and
highlight the
clavicles.
Locate the following systemic veins on both the diagram and the plastic human models.
(Some of the vessels may be restricted from view on certain models.)

R and L Jugular vein

R and L Brachiocephalic vein

R and L Subclavian vein

R and L Axillary vein

Superior vena cava

R and L Renal vein

Inferior vena cava

R and L Common iliac vein

R and L External iliac vein

R and L Great saphenous vein

Cardiovascular System - Circulatory Physiology

Resting pulse
The average pulse at rest is 75 beats per minute. Locate your radial pulse and count your pulse
for a one minute period: 62

Locate your pulse at one other location on your body and identify that location: Carotid artery in neck
 The Effect of Gravity on Venous Circulation
The arterial blood pressure surges with each contraction of the left ventricle, while the venous
blood pressure is low and steady. Blood, like water, is heavy so gravity tends to prevent blood
from moving upward.
How does the blood within the legs return to the heart?

Locate and highlight the

valves within this vein.

To observe the effects of gravity on venous circulation do the following:

1. While you are sitting, dangle your hand down by your legs for one or two minutes until
you can clearly see the veins on the dorsal surface of your hand.
2. Raise your hand up to the horizontal position keeping an eye on the veins.
3. Now raise your arm over your head. Have the veins changed in any way as you changed the
position of your hand? Explain. Veins plump up and a pulse is felt in the hand when you
dangle your hand down, and the veins become less visible as you raise your hand, like all
the blood is leaving the hand.

To observe the efficiency of the venous valves in preventing backflow of blood do the following:
1. Dangle your hand by your side for one or two minutes so that the veins become swollen with blood.
2. Place two fingertips side by side and press against a swollen vein.
3. Keeping one finger still, firmly move the other finger proximally to squeeze the blood
within that vein toward the heart.
4. Now release the proximal finger. Does the vein fill back up with blood? No
5. Remove the distal finger and observe the flow of blood back into the vein.
The Effect of Body Position and Exercise on Heart Rate
1. Monitor the effect of body position and exercise on heart rate and record your results in
the chart provided. Each time pulse will be taken for 30 seconds then multiplied by 2 (for a
one minute reading).
2. With one student sitting another student takes his or her radial pulse.
3. That same student then lies down on the lab bench and stays there for two minutes.
4. After two minutes the radial pulse is taken again.
5. The student stands up and his or her pulse is taken immediately.
6. After standing for two minutes the pulse is taken again.
7. The student then exercises for three minutes and the pulse is taken again
8. Last pulse reading is taken following two minutes of resting. This will be referred to as
“recovery”.
9. Change the test subject.

Heart Rate
yourself sean
62 115
Sitting pulse (one minute)
100
After 2 minutes of reclining
85
Immediately on standing
100
After 2 minutes of standing
160
After 3 minutes of exercise
65
Two minutes after exercise

One of the most important readings for cardiovascular health is the “recovery” which indicates
how long it takes the patient to return to a resting heart rate following exercise. A prolonged
recovery time may signal that there are additional stress factors on heart health.