Collateral vs Recurrent Arteries?

[xanthines]

So what makes an artery a collateral one versus a recurrent one? They both seem to jsut branch off and come back again.

Thanks!

-X

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[2112_rush]

I remember that the ones named "recurrent" normally branched off and then went "back" the way they came. Like the recurrent laryngeal branches off and then heads superiorly, in the opposite direction of the nerve it branched off of.

It's been a year since I had this so maybe someone else here can verify or debunk this.

 

[Samoa]

A collateral artery is generally one that participates in an anastomosis. A recurrent artery is one that branches off and then turns so that the direction of flow is opposite that of its parent artery.

 

[Nittany Lion]

A collateral artery is generally one that participates in an anastomosis. A recurrent artery is one that branches off and then turns so that the direction of flow is opposite that of its parent artery.

Here's how I think of it, at least for the arm: collateral arteries start above the elbow, recurrent arteries start below the elbow. 😛

 

[Ypo.]

A collateral artery is generally one that participates in an anastomosis. A recurrent artery is one that branches off and then turns so that the direction of flow is opposite that of its parent artery.

This sounds correct, if I had to choose an answer, this would be it.

 

[Antigunner]

Recurrent arteries also participate in anastamoses. I believe the way it works is that collateral arteries branch off and flow forwards into an anastamosis, while recurrent arteries branch off in the reverse direction and head backwards to the anastamosis. I know this a kind of crappy explanation, but it's the best I can do for the moment.

 

[Perrin]

I would say that collateral arteries branch and head in a distal direction, while recurrent arteries branch and head in a proximal direction. There may be some exception, but we haven't covered any in gross yet.

 

[Samoa]

Recurrent arteries also participate in anastamoses.

I know. I just didn't want to confuse the issue, in case there was some recurrent artery somewhere that I've forgotten about that doesn't do so.

My point is:
Collateral = extra
Recurrent = turns around and heads centrally

So, in general, collateral is a term describing function, while recurrent is a term describing structure. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

From the Medical Dictionary I have bookmarked on my laptop...


recurrent artery
<anatomy, artery> An artery which, upon or soon after originating, reflects or turns sharply to course in the general opposite direction to that of its parent artery.


collateral artery
<anatomy, artery> One that runs parallel with a nerve or other structure, one through which a collateral circulation is established.


I love that website. I am looking up things all the time on it. 😀

 

[xanthines]

Thanks everyone, you guys are super and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Amxcvbcv, that's an awesome website!

-X

From the Medical Dictionary I have bookmarked on my laptop...


recurrent artery
<anatomy, artery> An artery which, upon or soon after originating, reflects or turns sharply to course in the general opposite direction to that of its parent artery.


collateral artery
<anatomy, artery> One that runs parallel with a nerve or other structure, one through which a collateral circulation is established.


I love that website. I am looking up things all the time on it. 😀