Board Review Series – Vascular Anatomy Part 1: Cranium to Pelvis

Vascular Anatomy Part 2: Extremity arteriovenous supply, Central/Portal venous systems

Welcome to this episode of The Interventional Radiology Podcast. I’m Dr. Mustafa Farooq, a resident at the Medical College of Georgia. In this episode, we covered several foundational vascular topics crucial for IR trainees and board preparation. We started with the arterial supply of the upper and lower extremities, walking through transitions from subclavian to radial arteries in the arm, and from the iliacs to the plantar arches in the leg. We then explored central venous anatomy, including the jugular-subclavian-brachiocephalic pathways and the role of the azygos system in collateral flow. Finally, we reviewed abdominal venous drainage, discussing both the systemic venous return via the IVC and the portal venous system, including key portosystemic shunts like the splenorenal and paraumbilical pathways. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to reach out to me directly at mufarooq@augusta.edu [mufarooq@augusta.edu].

Board Review Series – Vascular Anatomy Part 1: Cranium to Pelvis

In this first episode of The Interventional Radiology Podcast, Dr. Mustafa Farooq (PGY-1 in Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and IR applicant for the 2026 Match) begins the Board Review Series with a comprehensive walkthrough of vascular anatomy. This high-yield episode covers the arterial system from the head to the pelvis, starting with the Circle of Willis and detailing the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, the branches of the aortic arch, and the thoracic and abdominal aorta. We discuss both the paired and unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta, common hepatic artery variants, and the pulmonary arterial system. The episode concludes with an in-depth look at the internal iliac artery and its anterior and posterior divisions. This episode is designed for trainees, residents, fellows, attendings, and anyone interested in mastering the foundational vascular anatomy relevant to interventional radiology. For any questions, comments, or corrections, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Mustafa Farooq at mufarooq@augusta.edu [mufarooq@augusta.edu].