Aorta

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Artery: Aorta
The thoracic aorta, heart and other great vessels.
Gray's	subject #142
Branches	thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta
MeSH	A07.231.114.056

The aorta (generally pronounced /eɪ.oʊɹ.tə/ or "ay-orta") 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.

[edit] The course of the aorta

The aorta is usually divided into three segments/sections ^{[1] [2]} :

• 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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
• Trauma, most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery^[3] and frequently quickly fatal^[4]

[edit] In popular culture

One of the Twin Peaks baddie, Windom Earle's better known lines is "I haven't felt this excited since I punctured Caroline's aorta".

[edit] References

1. ^ Tortora, Gerard J: "Principles of Human W. & Karen A. Koos: "Human Anatomy, second edition", page 479. Wm. C. Brown Publishing, 1994 (ISBN 0-697-12252-2)
2. ^ De Graaff, Van: "Human Anatomy, fifth edition", pages 548-549. WCB McGraw-Hill, 1998 (ISBN 0-697-28413-1)
3. ^ Samett EJ. Aorta, Trauma. eMedicine.com. URL: http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic44.htm. Accessed on: August 9, 2006.
4. ^ "Aortic Trauma in Scotland - A Population Based Study.". Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. PMID 16750920.

[edit] External links

• Gray's s153 - Descending aorta
• Gray's s154 - Abdominal aorta