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Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 12th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 21, Problem 13

The unpaired arteries supplying blood to the visceral organs include:
(a) The adrenal, renal, and lumbar arteries
(b) The iliac, gonadal, and femoral arteries
(c) The celiac and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries
(d) All of these

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of paired and unpaired arteries. Paired arteries are those that come in pairs, supplying blood to structures on both sides of the body, while unpaired arteries are single vessels that supply blood to midline or visceral organs.
Step 2: Identify the arteries listed in each option and classify them as paired or unpaired. For example, adrenal, renal, and lumbar arteries are typically paired because they supply paired organs or structures.
Step 3: Recognize that the iliac, gonadal, and femoral arteries are also paired arteries since they supply blood to paired lower limb and reproductive structures.
Step 4: Note that the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery are unpaired arteries because they arise singly from the abdominal aorta and supply the visceral organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Step 5: Conclude which option correctly lists only unpaired arteries supplying visceral organs by comparing the classifications from previous steps.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unpaired Arteries of the Abdominal Aorta

Unpaired arteries arise singly from the abdominal aorta and supply the midline visceral organs. These include the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery, which provide blood to the stomach, intestines, liver, and other digestive organs.
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Subcategories of Arteries

Paired vs. Unpaired Arteries

Paired arteries occur in pairs on both sides of the body, supplying paired organs like kidneys and adrenal glands. In contrast, unpaired arteries are single branches supplying unpaired organs, mainly in the digestive system, which is essential for identifying the correct arteries in the question.
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Subcategories of Arteries

Visceral vs. Parietal Arteries

Visceral arteries supply blood to internal organs (viscera), while parietal arteries supply the body wall and muscles. Understanding this distinction helps in recognizing which arteries serve the visceral organs, such as the celiac and mesenteric arteries, as opposed to arteries like lumbar or iliac.
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Subcategories of Arteries