aorta

Examples of aorta in the following topics:

• The Aorta and Its Branches

  • The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is divided into 3 parts: the ascending aorta, arch of the aorta, and descending aorta.
  • The aorta is the largest artery in the systemic circulatory system.
  • The aorta is an elastic artery, meaning it is able to distend.
  • When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands.
  • The aorta is divided into three parts: the ascending aorta, where the aorta initially leaves the heart and points superiorly toward the head; the arch of the aorta where the aorta changes direction; and the descending aorta where the aorta points inferiorly toward the feet.

• Abdominal Aorta

  • The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity.
  • As part of the descending aorta, it is a direct continuation of the thoracic aorta.
  • The abdominal aorta runs parallel to the inferior vena cava, located just to the right of the abdominal aorta.
  • The abdominal aorta lies slightly to the left of the midline of the body.
  • The aorta, highlighted in red, includes the abdominal aorta which begins at the diaphragm and ends as it branches into the common iliac arteries.

• Ascending Aorta

  • The ascending aorta is the first portion of the aorta; it includes the aortic sinuses, the bulb of the aorta, and the sinotubular junction.
  • The sinotubular junction is the point in the ascending aorta where the aortic sinuses end and the aorta becomes a tubular structure.
  • This dilatation is termed the "bulb of the aorta."
  • The ascending aorta is contained within the pericardium.
  • The aorta has three parts: the ascending, the arch and the descending.

• Thoracic Aorta

  • The thoracic aorta is the section of the aorta that travels through the thoracic cavity to carry blood to the head, neck, thorax and arms.
  • The thoracic aorta forms part of the descending aorta and is continuous with the aortic arch at its origin before becoming the abdominal aorta.
  • The esophagus lies on the right side of the aorta for most of its length, but at the lower part of the thorax is placed in front of the aorta and close to the diaphragm, situated on its left side.
  • As it descends in the thorax, the aorta gives off several paired branches.
  • The aorta, highlighted in red, includes the thoracic aorta, the section of the aorta which runs from the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra to the diaphragm.

• Arch of the Aorta

  • The arch of the aorta follows the ascending aorta and begins at the level of the second sternocostal articulation of the right side.
  • The arch of the aorta, or the transverse aortic arch, is continuous with the upper border of the ascending aorta and begins at the level of the upper border of the second sternocostal articulation of the right side.
  • The arch of the aorta runs at first upward, backward, and to the left in front of the trachea; it is then directed backward on the left side of the trachea and finally passes downward on the left side of the body of the fourth thoracic vertebra.
  • At the lower border, this vertebra becomes continuous with the descending aorta.
  • This diagram shows the arch of the aorta and its branches.

• Great Vessels of the Heart

  • When the left ventricle contracts to force blood through the aortic valve into the aorta, the aorta expands.
  • The five components of the aorta are:
  • The ascending aorta lies between the heart and the arch of aorta.
  • The descending aorta is  the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the common iliac arteries.
  • The thoracic aorta is  the part of the descending aorta above the diaphragm.

• Elastic Arteries

  • The pulmonary arteries, the aorta, and its branches together comprise the body's system of elastic arteries.
  • The aorta is so thick that it requires its own capillary network to supply it with sufficient oxygen and nutrients to function, the vasa vasorum.
  • When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands.
  • This stretching generates the potential energy that will help maintain blood pressure during diastole, when the aorta contracts passively.
  • The aorta makes up most of the elastic arteries in the body.

• Operation of Semilunar Valves

  • The semilunar valves are located at the connection between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle, and the aorta and the left ventricle.
  • When the atrioventricular valves shut, the semilunar valves open, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery.
  • The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta and has three cusps .
  • When the pressure in the left ventricle exceeds the pressure in the aorta, the aortic valve opens, and blood flows from the left ventricle into the aorta.

• Development of the Cardiovascular System

  • They are ventral to the dorsal aorta and arise from the aortic sac.
  • The dorsal aortae are initially bilateral and then fuse to form the definitive dorsal aorta.
  • The lateral branches of the aorta form the definitive renal, suprarenal, and gonadal arteries.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.
  • Occasionally, the entire right dorsal aorta abnormally persists and the left dorsal aorta regresses.

• Marfan Syndrome

  • Marfan syndrome is a disease of the connective tissue causing weakening of the heart valves, aorta, joints, and eyes.
  • The most serious complications are defects of the heart valves and aorta.
  • The most serious symptom of Marfan's is a dilated aorta or an aortic aneurysm.
  • Regular checkups by a cardiologist are needed to monitor the health of the heart valves and the aorta.
  • A micrograph of an aorta with an obvious dissection.