Aorta Totally Explained

Everything about The Aorta totally explained

The aorta (pronounced "ay-OR-tuh") 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 a hard 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 (for example syphilis), senile, genetic, associated with valvular heart disease

Dissecting aortic aneurysm

Aortic coarctation - pre-ductal, post-ductal

Atherosclerosis

Marfan syndrome

Aortic stenosis

Trauma, such as traumatic aortic rupture, most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery and frequently quickly fatalFurther Information

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