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There are four main blood vessels that take blood into and out of the heart. the aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries oxygenated blood away from the left ventricle to the body
- Overview
- Function
- Anatomy
- Conditions and Disorders
- Care
The great vessels of the heart include your aorta, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary veins and vena cava (superior and inferior). They connect directly to your heart and play a vital role in your circulatory system. These blood vessels send blood between your heart and lungs (pulmonary circuit) and between your heart and body (systemic circuit).
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OverviewFunctionAnatomyConditions and DisordersCare
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What is the function of the great vessels of the heart?
Your great vessels are a vital part of your circulatory system. There are two main circulatory system circuits: the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit. Here’s a breakdown of what those circuits do and the role your great vessels play:
Pulmonary circuit
Your pulmonary circuit sends blood between your heart and lungs. First, oxygen-poor blood travels from your heart to your lungs. There, it receives oxygen and gets rid of waste. This refreshed blood then travels back to your heart.
The role of your great vessels
•Main pulmonary artery: Carries oxygen-poor blood from your heart’s right ventricle into your left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry the blood to your lungs.
Where are the great vessels of the heart located?
The great vessels of the heart connect to your heart’s chambers. The chart below shows where each vessel connects and the direction of blood flow. Great vessel Where it connects to your heart Direction of blood flow Aorta. Left ventricle (via your aortic valve). Heart to artery. Main pulmonary artery. Right ventricle (via your pulmonary valve). Heart to artery. Pulmonary veins. Left atrium. Vein to heart. Superior vena cava. Right atrium. Vein to heart. Inferior vena cava. Right atrium. Vein to heart. Great vessel Aorta. Where it connects to your heart Left ventricle (via your aortic valve). Direction of blood flow Heart to artery. Main pulmonary artery. Where it connects to your heart Right ventricle (via your pulmonary valve). Direction of blood flow Heart to artery. Pulmonary veins. Where it connects to your heart Left atrium. Direction of blood flow Vein to heart. Superior vena cava. Where it connects to your heart Right atrium. Direction of blood flow Vein to heart. Inferior vena cava. Where it connects to your heart Right atrium. Direction of blood flow Vein to heart. Most people have four pulmonary veins. They each drain blood from a different section of your lungs and carry it to your heart. They’re called: Right superior pulmonary vein. Right inferior pulmonary vein. Left superior pulmonary vein. Left inferior pulmonary vein.
What are the great vessels made of?
Three layers of tissue make up the walls of your great vessels: Tunica intima: This is the inner layer that directly comes into contact with your blood. It’s lined with endothelial cells that help your blood flow smoothly. Tunica media: This is the middle layer. It’s made of elastic fibers that help your blood flow in the proper direction. This layer also helps your blood vessels contract and relax. Healthcare providers call these processes vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Tunica adventitia: This is the outer layer that provides structure to your vessels. Like your other blood vessels, your great vessels have a tube-like shape. The walls surround and protect the lumen, or the opening through which your blood flows. Advertisement
How big are they?
The great vessels of your heart have a wider lumen (opening) compared with your other arteries and veins. They need to be wider to accommodate the heavy volume of blood flow. Your aorta and pulmonary artery must also withstand forceful pressure from your heart’s pumping action. The diameter (width of the lumen) varies based on many factors like your age and sex assigned at birth. Plus, different imaging methods establish different diameters in published research. The estimates below give you a general idea of the diameter of your great vessels: Ascending aorta: 2.1 centimeters (cm). Superior vena cava: 2.0 cm. Inferior vena cava: 2.2 cm. Main pulmonary artery: 2.7 cm (people assigned female at birth); 2.9 cm (people assigned male at birth). Right superior pulmonary vein: 1.5 cm to 1.9 cm. Right inferior pulmonary vein: 1.3 cm to 1.8 cm. Left superior pulmonary vein: 1.4 cm to 1.9 cm. Left inferior pulmonary vein: 1.3 cm to 1.6 cm.
What conditions and disorders affect the great vessels?
Many conditions can affect your great vessels. These include congenital heart diseases (present at birth) as well as conditions you develop later in life. Listed below are the great vessels and some of the conditions that can affect each one: Aorta Tetralogy of Fallot. Transposition of the great arteries. Patent ductus arteriosus. Coarctation of the aorta. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Aortic aneurysm. Aortic dissection. Atherosclerosis of the aorta. Pulmonary artery Tetralogy of Fallot. Transposition of the great arteries. Patent ductus arteriosus. Pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary artery stenosis. Pulmonary veins Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR). Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR). Pulmonary vein obstruction (usually due to a tumor). Pulmonary vein stenosis. Pulmonary venous hypertension. Blood clots (pulmonary vein thrombosis). Superior and inferior vena cava Superior vena cava syndrome. Inferior vena cava syndrome. Blood clots. Advertisement
How can I keep my great vessels healthy?
A heart-healthy lifestyle can help you keep your great vessels and all your blood vessels healthy. Tips include: Don’t smoke, vape or use any tobacco products. Talk to your provider about strategies to help you quit. Eat a heart-healthy diet. This includes limiting your intake of salt, sugar and saturated fat. It also means adding more soluble fiber, whole grains, fruits and veggies to your meals. Exercise regularly. Talk to your provider about a routine that’s safe for you. Limit alcohol, or avoid it altogether. Manage conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This may involve taking medications. Visit a healthcare provider each year for a checkup. A note from Cleveland Clinic The great vessels of the heart are truly “great.” They play a major role in sending blood to and from your heart and supporting the daily work of your circulatory system. Your great vessels allow all your other blood vessels to do their jobs and supply your body with oxygen as well as remove waste. Learning your great vessel anatomy can help you picture what’s going on inside your body with each heartbeat. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about your blood vessels or what you can do to keep them healthy. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/11/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
After delivering oxygen and nutrients to all your organs and tissues, your blood enters your heart and flows to your lungs to gain oxygen and get rid of waste. It then flows back to your heart, which pumps the refreshed blood out through your aorta to nourish your body again. Blood follows a path as it continuously flows through your heart ...
Jul 16, 2024 · Oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart gets pumped out of the aorta. From there, blood flows through arteries, arterioles, and then capillaries (tiny blood vessels that transport blood, nutrients, and oxygen to cells). Deoxygenated blood from the capillaries then flows back to the heart through venules, veins, and ultimately through ...
Apr 13, 2024 · It involves the movement of deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and then returning oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart. Pathway: Blood flows from the right ventricle through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. In the lungs, blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen.
Jul 13, 2023 · Overview of the main coronary arteries and cardiac veins. Coronary arteries and cardiac veins. The heart is a muscular, four-chambered organ that is responsible for distributing blood throughout the body. The continuous activity of the heart creates a large demand for nutrients to be delivered to cardiac tissue and for waste to be removed.
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Sep 4, 2024 · Like the main pipes under the street, the blood vessels going into and out of your heart are the largest in your body. They connect to smaller and smaller blood vessels as they get farther away from your heart to deliver oxygen and remove waste throughout your entire body. Blood vessels contain layers of connective tissue, muscle and elastic ...
