arch of the aorta

Examples of arch of the aorta in the following topics:

• 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.
  • Three vessels come out of the aortic arch: the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.
  • This diagram shows the arch of the aorta and its branches.

• 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.
  • Blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the aorta and from there branches to all parts of the body.
  • 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.
  • The arch of the aorta has three branches: the brachiocephalic artery, which itself divides into right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.
  • The aorta has three parts: the ascending, the arch and the descending.

• Great Vessels of the Heart

  • The five components of the aorta are:
  • The ascending aorta lies between the heart and the arch of aorta.
  • The arch of aorta is the peak of the aorta, which breaks off into the left carotid artery, brachiocephalic trunk, and the left subclavian artery.
  • 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.

• 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 ascending aorta is a portion of the aorta beginning at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum; it passes diagonally upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart's axis, as high as the upper border of the second right costal cartilage.
  • At the junction of the ascending aorta with the aortic arch, the caliber of the vessel increases with a bulging of its right wall.
  • This dilatation is termed the "bulb of the aorta."
  • The aorta has three parts: the ascending, the arch and the descending.

• Development of the Cardiovascular System

  • The human arterial system originates from the aortic arches and from the dorsal aortae starting from week 4 of embryonic life.
  • The third aortic arch constitutes the commencement of the internal carotid artery, and is named the carotid arch.
  • The fourth left arch constitutes the arch of the aorta between the origin of the left carotid artery and the termination of the ductus arteriosus.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.
  • In this case, the right aorta will have to arch across from the esophagus, causing difficulty breathing or swallowing.

• 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.
  • Contained within the posterior mediastinal cavity, it begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch, and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• Development of the Heart

  • The human arterial system originates from the aortic arches and from the dorsal aortae starting from week four of human development.
  • The definitive formation of the arterial system arise from aortic arches 3, 4 and 6.
  • 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, suprarrenal and gonadal arteries.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.

• Abdominal Aorta

  • The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity and supplies blood to most of the abdominal organs.
  • As part of the descending aorta, it is a direct continuation of the thoracic aorta.
  • The abdominal aorta travels down the posterior wall of the abdomen, anterior to the vertebral column, following the curvature of the lumbar vertebrae.
  • 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.

• Arches, Vaults, and Domes

  • One answer is to build a frame (historically, of wood) which exactly follows the form of the underside of the arch.
  • As the rise, or height, of the arch decreases, the outward thrust increases.
  • The advantage of using a pointed arch rather than a circular arch is that the arch action in a pointed arch produces less thrust at the base.
  • Of any arch type, the parabolic arch produces the most thrust at the base, but can span the largest areas.
  • The Romans were the first to appreciate the advantages of the arch, the vault and the dome.

• Elastic Arteries

  • An elastic or conducting artery has a large number of collagen and elastin filaments in the tunica media.
  • The pulmonary arteries, the aorta, and its branches together comprise the body's system of elastic arteries.
  • Due to position as the first part of the systemic circulatory system closest to the heart and the resultant high pressures it will experience, the aorta is perhaps the most elastic artery, featuring an incredibly thick tunica media rich in elastic filaments.
  • When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands.
  • The aorta makes up most of the elastic arteries in the body.