Anatomy of the Aorta

1
ANATOMY OF THE AORTA Aorta is the largest artery
in the body.
Copyright ? 2017 Heart and Aorta. All rights
reserved.
2
It originates from the Left Ventricle. It carries
the oxygenated (pure) blood to various parts of
body through its numerous branches. At the
origin, the flow of blood from the left
ventricle to aorta is controlled by Aortic
Valve. Normal aorta is 2.5-3.0cm in diameter at
the origin. The diameter gradually comes down as
it gives away branches. Before bifurcating in
the abdomen it is about 1.5-2.0cm.
Copyright ? 2017 Heart and Aorta. All rights
reserved.
3
First branches of Aorta are the Coronary
arteries. After giving off these branches aorta
climbs up to the upper part of chest and
turns downward to form an arch. Thus there are
three distinct parts of aorta at this area.

• Ascending Aorta the part which goes up
• Arch of Aorta the arching part which also gives
  off branches that supply the brain (carotid
  arteries) and the two upper limbs (Subclavian
  arteries)
• Descending Aorta the part which comes down in
  the chest after the arch.
• This part gives of intercostal arteries.
  Intercostal arteries have a major role in the
  blood supply of spinal cord.

Copyright ? 2017 Heart and Aorta. All rights
reserved.
4

• The descending aorta travels down and goes across
  diaphragm to enter abdomen
• (Abdominal Aorta).
• Abdominal aorta supplies the intestine and all
  the organs in the abdomen.
• The branches of Abdominal aorta are
• Coeliac Artery supplies liver, spleen,
  gallbladder and pancreas
• Superior Mesenteric Artery Supplies the
  intestines
• Inferior Mesenteric Artery Supplies the
  intestines
• Renal Arteries Normally one for either side and
  supplies kidney
• Aorta has very specific branches at specific
  locations that supply specific parts of the
  body.
• Any disease that affect the aorta in a particular
  location will affect the corresponding
  organs.The symptoms of the same disease at
  different locations can thus be different.
• After giving off these branches aorta divides
  into two large branches called Common Iliac
  Arteries(CIA) one for either side. CIA's in turn
  divide into Internal and External Iliac
  Arteries. Internal Iliacs supply the pelvic
  organs. External Iliacs go on to become the
  femoral arteries that supply legs.

Copyright ? 2017 Heart and Aorta. All rights
reserved.