aorta

aorta, primary artery of the circulatory system in mammals, delivering oxygenated blood to all other arteries except those of the lungs. The human aorta, c.1 in. (2.54 cm) in diameter, originates at the left ventricle of the heart. After supplying the coronary arteries that nourish the heart itself, the aorta extends slightly toward the neck to feed branches serving the head and arms. It then arches down toward the waist, directing blood into the arterial system of the chest. Entering the abdomen through the aortic hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm, the aorta branches off to supply the stomach, kidneys, intestines, gonads, and other organs through extensive arterial networks. It finally divides into the two iliac arteries carrying blood to the legs. The elasticity of the aorta wall permits it to pulse in rhythm with the heartbeat, thus helping to propel blood through the body.

Congenital disorder involving narrowing of a short section of the aorta's arch over the heart. It causes a characteristic murmur, abnormally high blood pressure in the arms, and reduced blood flow to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. It increases the workload of the left ventricle, which usually becomes enlarged. Surgical reconstruction or replacement (depending on the person's age) of the narrowed area is most effective in the young.

Learn more about aorta, coarctation of the with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Artery that carries blood from the heart to all the organs and structures of the body. Where the left ventricle opens into the aorta, a valve prevents backflow of blood into the heart. The aorta ascends from the heart, arches over it to the left, then descends into the trunk. Arteries branch off along its length until it divides at hip level into arteries that go to the legs.

Learn more about aorta with a free trial on Britannica.com.

The aorta (pronounced /e(ɪ)ˈo(ʊ)ɹ.tə/) is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation.

The course of the aorta

The aorta is usually divided into seven segments/sections :

• Ascending aorta—the section between the heart and the arch of aorta
• Arch of aorta—the peak part that looks somewhat like an inverted "U"
• Descending aorta—the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the common iliac arteries
• Thoracic aorta—the half of the descending aorta above the diaphragm
• Abdominal aorta—the half of the descending aorta below the diaphragm

Features

The aorta is an elastic artery, and as such is quite distensible. When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands. This stretching gives the potential energy that will help maintain blood pressure during diastole, as during this time the aorta contracts passively.

Diseases/pathology

• Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
• Aortic aneurysm - myotic, bacterial (e.g. syphilis), senile, genetic, associated with valvular heart disease
• Dissecting aortic aneurysm
• Aortic coarctation - pre-ductal, post-ductal
• Atherosclerosis
• Marfan syndrome
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Aortic stenosis
• Trauma, such as traumatic aortic rupture, most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery and frequently quickly fatal

References

External links

• - Descending aorta
• - Abdominal aorta