Aorta

Aorta
Schematic view of the aorta and its segments
Branches of the aorta
Details
Pronunciation/ˈɔːrtə/
PrecursorTruncus arteriosus, fourth left branchial artery, paired dorsal aortae (combine into the single descending aorta)
SourceLeft ventricle
BranchesAscending aorta:
Right and left coronary arteries

Arch of aorta (supra-aortic vessels):

Brachiocephalic trunk
Left common carotid artery
Left subclavian artery

Descending aorta, thoracic part:

Left bronchial arteries
Esophageal arteries to the thoracic part of the esophagus
Third to eleventh posterior intercostal arteries and the subcostal arteries

Descending aorta, abdominal part:

Parietal branches:
Inferior phrenic arteries
Lumbar arteries
Median sacral artery
Visceral branches:
Celiac trunk
Middle suprarenal arteries
Superior mesenteric artery
Renal arteries
Gonadal arteries (testicular in males, ovarian in females)
Inferior mesenteric artery

Terminal branches:

Common iliac arteries
Median sacral artery
VeinCombination of coronary sinus, superior vena cava and inferior vena cava
SuppliesThe systemic circulation
(entire body with exception of the respiratory zone of the lung which is supplied by the pulmonary circulation)
Identifiers
Latinaorta, arteria maxima
MeSHD001011
TA98A12.2.02.001
TA24175
FMA3734
Anatomical terminology

The aorta (/ˈɔːrtə/ ay-OR-tə; pl.: aortas or aortae) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart, branching upwards immediately after, and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits at the aortic bifurcation into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body through the systemic circulation.[1]

  1. ^ Maton, Anthea; Jean Hopkins; Charles William McLaughlin; Susan Johnson; Maryanna Quon Warner; David LaHart; Jill D. Wright (1995). Human Biology Health. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-981176-0.