Ascending aorta, aortic arch, thoracic aorta (course, syntopy, branches)
The aorta is the artery coming out of the left ventricle carrying oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. The parts include ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending part which become thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta in their respective regions.
ASCENDING AORTA
The ascending aorta is about 5 to 8 centimeters (or close to 2 to 3 inches) long.
Branches rising out of the ascending aorta include the left and right coronary arteries coming of the the left and right aortic sinuses respectively.
AORTIC ARCH
The aortic arch begins at the second sternocostal joint. It arches superiorly, posteriorly and to the left before moving inferiorly.
The aortic arch ends at the level of the T4 vertebra. The arch is still connected to the pulmonary trunk by the ligamentum arteriosum(remnant of ductus arteriosus).
Branches:
1)Brachiocephalic truck
a)Right common carotid
-Right internal carotid
-Right external carotid
b)Right subclavian artery (mnemonic VIT CD)
-Vertebral artery
-Internal thoracic artery
-Thyrocervical trunk
-Costocervical trunk
-Dorsal scapular artery
2)Left common carotid artery
-Left internal carotid
-Left external carotid
3)Left subclavian arteries (mnemonic VIT CD)
-Vertebral artery
-Internal thoracic artery
-Thyrocervical trunk
-Costocervical trunk
-Dorsal scapular artery
These arteries go on the supply the head, neck and upper extremities.
THORACIC AORTA
The thoracic aorta starts at the level T4 and gives off numerous branches to regions in the thorax.
Branches:
1)Bronchial branches
2)Oesophageal branches
3)Pericardial branches
4)Mediastinal branches
5)Intercostal,subcostal branches
6)Superior phrenic arteries
It leaves the aortic arch at T4, descends down the posterior mediastinum and comes to an end at level T12 and becomes abdominal aorta as it crosses the diaphragm via the aortic hiatus. It travels lateral to the vertebral column on the left side but comes closer to the midline as it descends and passes the diaphragm.
Citations:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21951-ascending-aorta]
https://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/vasculature/arteries/aorta/
