The buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, in the arteries is medically referred to as atherosclerosis. While some accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries is normal, excess buildup hardens and narrows the arteries making it difficult for blood to flow through.

Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of blood circulation through the body promotes a healthy, strong cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system -- also called the circulatory system -- consists of the heart, the blood and complex networks of blood vessels called arteries, veins and capillaries.

When you go to the doctor, she checks your heart rate by feeling your pulse. With each beat of the heart, a wave of blood is pushed from the heart into the circulation. These waves can be felt as pulsations in arteries close to the skin surface, such as those in the wrist and neck.

The iliac artery is a major artery found in both legs, branching off the aorta in the lower abdomen to serve as the major blood supply to the pelvis and each leg. In turn, each of the iliac arteries branch off into smaller arteries that serve the entire lower extremities.

The carotid artery carries blood from the heart to the head and brain. There are two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck. Over time, carotid arteries can become clogged with plaque as a result of coronary artery disease.

Four blood vessels in the neck carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain -- the right and left carotid arteries and the right and left vertebral arteries. The carotids are much larger than the vertebrals and nourish a correspondingly larger portion of the brain.

The internal carotid artery provides blood supply to most of the brain's cortex on one side, including the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. Only the posterior parts of the brain are supplied by different arteries.