aorta

aorta /aor·ta/ (a-or´tah) pl. aor´tae, aortas   [L.] the great artery arising from the left ventricle, being the main trunk from which the systemic arterial system proceeds.aor´tic

Aorta, arising from the left ventricle, ascending, arching, then descending through the thorax to the abdomen, where it divides into the common iliac arteries.

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abdominal aorta  the distal part of the descending aorta, below the diaphragm; it is continuous with the thoracic aorta.

overriding aorta  a congenital anomaly occurring in tetralogy of Fallot, in which the aorta is displaced to the right so that it appears to arise from both ventricles and straddles the ventricular septal defect.

thoracic aorta  the proximal portion of the descending aorta; it is continuous with the abdominal aorta.

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a·or·ta (-ôrt)

n. pl. a·or·tas or a·or·tae (-t)

The large artery that is the main trunk of the systemic arterial system, arising from the base of the left ventricle, ending at the left side of the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra, dividing to form the right and left common iliac arteries, and whose parts are the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta.

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a·ortal, a·ortic adj.

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Aorta

The main blood vessel that leads away from the heart and the body's largest artery. The aorta carries blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen, providing major branches to all of the organs in the body.

Mentioned in: Aneurysmectomy, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Congenital Heart Disease, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Mitral Valve Insufficiency, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Relapsing Polychondritis, Tetralogy of Fallot

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aorta

[ā·ôr′tə]

Etymology: Gk, aerein, to raise

the main trunk of the systemic arterial circulation, comprising four parts: the ascending aorta, the arch of the aorta, the thoracic portion of the descending aorta, and the abdominal portion of the descending aorta. It starts at the aortic opening of the left ventricle, rises a short distance, bends over the root of the left lung, descends within the thorax on the left side of the vertebral column, and passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity. It branches into the two common iliac arteries. aortic, adj.

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aorta (āor´t),

n the main arterial trunk of the systemic circulation. Consists of four parts: the ascending aorta, the arch of the aorta, the thoracic portion of the descending aorta, and the abdominal portion of the descending aorta. Gives rise to the common carotid and subclavian arteries on the left side and to the brachiocephalic artery on the right side.

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aorta

pl. aortae, aortas [L.] the great artery arising from the left ventricle, being the main trunk from which the systemic arterial system proceeds. See Table 9. See also aortic.

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abdominal aorta

the part of the descending aorta within the abdomen.

ascending aorta

the first part of the aorta which passes dorsally and cranially.

descending aorta

the aorta after it turns caudally at the aortic arch.

overriding aorta

see overriding aorta.

supravalvular aorta

the portion of aorta immediately above the aortic valve.

terminal aorta

the segment of the aorta immediately before it divides into the iliac arteries.

thoracic aorta

the part of the descending aorta within the thorax.

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Patient discussion about aorta.

Q. Is there a good screening test for aortic abdominal aneurysm? A friend of mine was diagnosed with an aortic abdominal aneurysm. I am afraid i might have this condition too. is there any screening test that is good for me?

A. The answer to your question depends on your age your sex and your history of smoking. 3 years ago when my husband was diagnosed with an aortic abdominal aneurysm our GP said that the screening is good only for males age 65-75 that smoke.
Go to your GP and ask him even if you are not in those criteria, maybe the rules have changed.

Q. Why does Aortic stenosis causes an enlarged heart? My father was recently diagnosed as suffering from enlarged heart due to his Aortic stenosis. what is the connection between those to conditions? As far as I understand that aortic stenosis mean that the aortic valve is too small not too large...

A. The connection between those pathologies is mainly mechanical. because your father's valve is smaller, less amount of blood can be ejected in every heart bit. because of that the heart is working harder. the heart is a muscle and like other muscles in our body when it "works out" it gets bigger

Q. How does alcohol affect someone who has been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis? My brother has been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis and also is a smoker and does drink alcohol on the weekends. He knows that he should stop smoking but what about the effects of alcohol? Does this also contribute to his stenosis?

A. Alcohol changes blood pressure and speed of the heart- that is not a good idea if you have an Aortic stenosis. Could probably makes things worst. I would avoid alcohol… but he should ask GP.