Aorta summary

The aorta is a vessel emerging from the left ventricle as an ascending aorta (aorta ascendens), then curves to the left as an aortic arch (arcus aortae) and continues caudally as a descending aorta (aorta descendens). It has two parts: the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta. Along the way, the aorta releases direct branches nourishing the surrounding organs.

Aorta thoracica
The thoracic aorta is the thoracic part of the descending aorta. It follows the arcus aortae at the height Th3 − Th4 and then runs first at the left side of the vertebrae, gradually gets in front of them and continues caudally. After passing through the aortic hiatus, the diaphragm at the Th12 level continues as the abdominal aorta. In front of the aorta lies together with the esophagus, which is slightly to the right, then cranially radix pulmonis sinistri and caudally heart. The thoracic ductus runs between the aorta and the esophagus. From the sides, the aorta is surrounded by the mediastinal pleura, through which the aorta is imprinted into the left lung. The posterior mediastinal pleura passes through the intercostal dorsal artery and sinus artery. It supplies the muscles of the posterior three quarters of 3. − 11. intercostal space, anterior part of abdominal muscles, part of diaphragm, skin on sides and back of chest, lungs, mediastinal organs, spinal canal, spinal cord and spinal cord envelopes.

The thoracic aorta, like the abdominal aorta, has branches for the surrounding walls and organs.

Accordingly, the following are recognized:


 * parietal (wall) branches;
 * visceral (organ) branches.

The parietal branches of the thoracic aorta are paired. Wall branches include:


 * superior phrenic artery
 * the superior phrenic artery protrudes above the diaphragm aorticus of the diaphragm and supplies its adjacent section;
 * posterior intercostal arteries.
 * Nine pairs of posterior intercostal arteries for 3rd − 11. the intercostal space gradually emerges from the aorta from behind and passes through the posterior mediastinal pleura. They follow the veins and nerves along the spine to the intercostal space and then further between the intercostal muscles interni et intimi, in the sulcus costae they go along with the veins (cranially from the artery) and nerves (caudally from the artery). In the anterior section of the intercostal space, they interast with the intercostales anteriores of the internal thoracic artery. During its course, it deletes aa. intercostales posteriores the following branches:


 * r. dorsalis;
 * r. collateralis;
 * r. cutaneus lateralis;
 * rr. lateral mammals.

The visceral branches are unpaired and protrude from the front of the aorta. Is part of them:


 * rr. bronchiales - are 2-3 arteries arising above the aorta at the level of the bifurcation of the trachea (Th4−5). As a rule, two go to the left and one to the right, joining the bronchi and branching into the lungs;
 * rr. oesophage;
 * rr. pericardium;
 * rr. mediastinals.

Related articles

 * Aorta abdominalis
 * Aorta thoracica