Aorta
From Free net encyclopedia
The largest artery in the human body, the aorta originates from the left ventricle of the heart and brings oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation.
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The course of the Aorta
The aorta is usually divided into several segments. The portion above the diaphragm (in the thorax) is called the thoracic aorta and is sometimes further subdivided into the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending (thoracic) aorta. The portion below the diaphragm (in the abdomen) is known as the abdominal aorta
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.
Diseases
- Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
- Aortic aneurysm
- Aortic coarctation
- Marfan syndrome
- inborn cardiovascular defects
External links
- Template:GraySubject - Descending aorta
- Template:GraySubject - Abdominal aorta
| Circulatory system - edit |
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| Blood → Heart → Aorta → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Vena cava → Heart → Pulmonary arteries → Lungs → Pulmonary veins |
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