Vessels supplying blood to organs are known as?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The term 'viscera' refers to the internal organs in the main cavities of the body.
Therefore, blood vessels that supply these organs are called visceral vessels.
Examples of visceral arteries include the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries, which supply the stomach, intestines, and kidneys, respectively.
This classification is fundamental in anatomy to distinguish organ blood supply from the supply to the body wall.

Option A: This term describes the location of a vessel (behind the peritoneum), not the type of structure it supplies. For example, the kidneys are retroperitoneal organs, and their supplying renal arteries are visceral vessels that are also located retroperitoneally.
Option B: 'Non-visceral' is not a standard anatomical term for classifying blood vessels. The correct term for vessels that do not supply the organs is 'parietal'.
Option C: Parietal vessels supply the walls of the body cavities (soma or body wall), such as skin, muscles, and bones, not the internal organs.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Arterial Blood Supply helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the difference between visceral and parietal blood supply is critical for surgeons to control bleeding and for radiologists to interpret angiograms.
For example, during abdominal surgery, a surgeon must be able to identify and ligate specific visceral branches to an organ without compromising the parietal supply to the abdominal wall.
A blockage in a visceral artery (e.g., superior mesenteric artery) leads to intestinal ischemia, a life-threatening condition, whereas a blockage in a parietal artery might cause localized muscle pain.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'vessels' and 'organs'.
Recall the specific anatomical term for internal organs, which is 'viscera'.
Connect this term to the options provided. 'Visceral' directly relates to 'viscera'.
Evaluate the other options to confirm your choice. 'Parietal' refers to the body wall, and 'retroperitoneal' refers to a location, not a function.
Eliminate the incorrect options based on their precise anatomical definitions, leaving 'Visceral vessels' as the only logical answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy BDChaurasia V2 10e Part 2 p. 3-5

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