All Topics  
Thoracic aorta

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Thoracic aorta
 
 
  Topics Thoracic aorta Topic Home

The thoracic aorta is contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity.

It begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch
Aortic arch

The arch of the aorta begins at the level of the upper border of the second sternocostal articulation of the right side, and runs at first upward, backward, and to the left in front of the Vertebrate trachea; it is then directed backward on the left side of the Vertebrate trachea and finally passes downward on the left side of the body of th...
, and ends in front of the lower border of the tenth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus
Aortic hiatus

The aortic hiatus is a hole in the human diaphragm . It is the lowest and most posterior of the large apertures.It is located approximately at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra ....
 in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta
Abdominal aorta

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of descending aorta ....
.

At its commencement, it is situated on the left of the vertebral column; it approaches the median line as it descends; and, at its termination, lies directly in front of the column.

The vessel describes a curve which is concave forward; as the branches given off from it are small, its diminution in size is insignificant.

It has a radius of approximately 1.16 cm.

s in relation, anteriorly, from above downward, with the root of the left lung
Lung

The lung is the essential respiration organ in air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located in the chest on either side of the heart....
, the pericardium
Pericardium

The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels....
, the esophagus
Esophagus

The esophagus or oesophagus , sometimes known as the gullet, is an Organ in vertebrates which consists of a Muscle tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach....
, and the diaphragm; posteriorly, with the vertebral column
Vertebral column

In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column of 24 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsum aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs....
 and the hemiazygos veins; on the right side, with the azygos vein
Azygos vein

The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column. It can also provide an alternate path for blood to the superior vena cava....
 and thoracic duct
Thoracic duct

In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is an important part of the lymphatic system—it is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. It is also known under various other names including the alimentary duct, chyliferous duct, duct of Pecquet, the left lymphatic duct and Van Hoorne's canal....
; on the left side, with the left pleura and lung.

The esophagus, with its accompanying plexus of nerves, lies on the right side of the aorta above; but at the lower part of the thorax it is placed in front of the aorta, and, close to the diaphragm, is situated on its left side.

initial part of the aorta
Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation....
, the ascending aorta
Ascending aorta

The ascending aorta is a portion of the aorta commencing at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum; it passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart?s axis, as high as the upper border of the second...
, rises out of the left ventricle, from which it is separated by the aortic valve
Aortic valve

The aortic valve is one of the heart valve of the heart. It lies between the left ventricle and the aorta....
.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Thoracic aorta'
Start a new discussion about 'Thoracic aorta'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The thoracic aorta is contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity.

It begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch
Aortic arch

The arch of the aorta begins at the level of the upper border of the second sternocostal articulation of the right side, and runs at first upward, backward, and to the left in front of the Vertebrate trachea; it is then directed backward on the left side of the Vertebrate trachea and finally passes downward on the left side of the body of th...
, and ends in front of the lower border of the tenth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus
Aortic hiatus

The aortic hiatus is a hole in the human diaphragm . It is the lowest and most posterior of the large apertures.It is located approximately at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra ....
 in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta
Abdominal aorta

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of descending aorta ....
.

At its commencement, it is situated on the left of the vertebral column; it approaches the median line as it descends; and, at its termination, lies directly in front of the column.

The vessel describes a curve which is concave forward; as the branches given off from it are small, its diminution in size is insignificant.

It has a radius of approximately 1.16 cm.

Relations

It is in relation, anteriorly, from above downward, with the root of the left lung
Lung

The lung is the essential respiration organ in air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located in the chest on either side of the heart....
, the pericardium
Pericardium

The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels....
, the esophagus
Esophagus

The esophagus or oesophagus , sometimes known as the gullet, is an Organ in vertebrates which consists of a Muscle tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach....
, and the diaphragm; posteriorly, with the vertebral column
Vertebral column

In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column of 24 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsum aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs....
 and the hemiazygos veins; on the right side, with the azygos vein
Azygos vein

The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column. It can also provide an alternate path for blood to the superior vena cava....
 and thoracic duct
Thoracic duct

In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is an important part of the lymphatic system—it is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. It is also known under various other names including the alimentary duct, chyliferous duct, duct of Pecquet, the left lymphatic duct and Van Hoorne's canal....
; on the left side, with the left pleura and lung.

The esophagus, with its accompanying plexus of nerves, lies on the right side of the aorta above; but at the lower part of the thorax it is placed in front of the aorta, and, close to the diaphragm, is situated on its left side.

Branches


Branches before thoracic aorta

The initial part of the aorta
Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation....
, the ascending aorta
Ascending aorta

The ascending aorta is a portion of the aorta commencing at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum; it passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart?s axis, as high as the upper border of the second...
, rises out of the left ventricle, from which it is separated by the aortic valve
Aortic valve

The aortic valve is one of the heart valve of the heart. It lies between the left ventricle and the aorta....
. The two coronary arteries of the heart arise from the aortic root, just above the cusps of the aortic valve
Aortic valve

The aortic valve is one of the heart valve of the heart. It lies between the left ventricle and the aorta....
.

The aorta then arches back over the right pulmonary artery
Pulmonary artery

The pulmonary arteries carry blood from heart to the lungs. They are the only artery that carry deoxygenated blood.In the human heart, the pulmonary trunk begins at the base of the right ventricle....
. Three vessels come out of the aortic arch
Aortic arch

The arch of the aorta begins at the level of the upper border of the second sternocostal articulation of the right side, and runs at first upward, backward, and to the left in front of the Vertebrate trachea; it is then directed backward on the left side of the Vertebrate trachea and finally passes downward on the left side of the body of th...
, the brachiocephalic artery
Brachiocephalic artery

The brachiocephalic artery is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm and the head and neck.It is the first branch of the aorta, and soon after it emerges, the brachiocephalic artery divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery....
, the left common carotid artery
Common carotid artery

In human anatomy, the common carotid artery is an artery that supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood; it divides in the neck to form the external carotid artery and internal carotid artery....
, and the left subclavian artery
Subclavian artery

In human anatomy, the subclavian artery is a major artery of the upper thorax that mainly supplies blood to the head and arms. It is located below the collar bone, hence the name....
. These vessels supply blood to the head
Head

In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth . Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many bilateria do....
, neck
Neck

The neck is the part of the body on many limbed vertebrates that distinguishes the head from the torso or trunk. The scientific term signifying "of the neck" is nuchal....
, thorax
Thorax

The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.In mammals, the thorax is the region of the body formed by the sternum, the thoracic vertebrae and the ribs....
 and upper limb
Upper limb

In human anatomy, the upper Limb refers to what in common English is known as the arm, that is, the region of the shoulder to the fingertips....
s.

Branches of thoracic aorta

The aorta gives off several paired branches as it descends in the thorax. These include the
  • bronchial arteries
  • esophageal arteries
  • posterior intercostal arteries
    Posterior intercostal arteries

    The posterior intercostal arteries are arteries that supply blood to the intercostal spaces.There are eleven posterior intercostal arteries on each side....


Additional images


External links