Aorta is the main artery of systemic circulation. Aorta is divided into 4 parts - 1) Ascending aorta 2) Arch of aorta 3) Descending thoracic aorta 4) Abdominal aorta 1) Ascending aorta - branches - Right and Left coronary arteries . At the level of sternal angle it is continuous with arch of aorta. 2) Arch of aorta - branches - Brachiocephalic artery, Left common carotid artery, Left subclavian artery. Ligamentum arteriosus is attached to arch of aorta and pulmonary trunk. for details about ligamentum arteriosus please go through the video of fetal circulation https://youtu.be/kBR6p7-GmaE 3) Descending thoracic aorta - is continuation of arch of aorta from the level of T4 vertebra. it descends downwards by giving branches - 9 pairs of Posterior intercostal arteries, esophageal artery, left bronchial artery, pericardial branches, superior thoracic artery. 4) Abdominal aorta - at the level of T12 vertebra thoracic aorta enters into abdomen through aortic opening of diaphragm. Abdominal aorta divides into its terminal branches Left and Right common iliac arteries at the level of L4 vertebra.

1. Aorta
Dr Karle Geetanjali
Professor, PMT’s Ayurved college, Shevgaon

2. Introduction-
The aorta is the largest artery in the
body.
Diameter- an inch wide in diameter.
 It receives the cardiac output from the
left ventricle and supplies the body
with oxygenated blood via the
systemic circulation.

3. Parts of aorta-
The aorta can be divided into four sections:
Ascending aorta,
Aortic arch,
Thoracic (descending) aorta
Abdominal aorta.
It terminates at the level of L4 by bifurcating into
the left and right common iliac arteries

4. Ascending Aorta -
 The ascending aorta arises from the aortic orifice from
the left ventricle.
 Then it goes upward to become the aortic arch.
 Length- It is 2 inches long length
 travels with the pulmonary trunk in the pericardial
sheath.
Branches -
 The left and right aortic sinuses of the aortic valve give
rise to the left and right coronary arteries that supply
the myocardium.

5. Branches of Arch of aorta -

6. Arch of aorta -
 The aortic arch is a continuation of the
ascending aorta
 begins at the level of the sternal angle
 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 connected to the
pulmonary trunk by the ligamentum
arteriosus (remnant of the fetal ductus
arteriosus).

7. Branches-
 There are 3 major branches arising from the aortic arch.
Proximal to distal or from left to the right-
1)Brachiocephalic trunk: ascends laterally to split into the
right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. These
arteries supply the right side of the head and neck, and the
right upper limb.
2)Left common carotid artery: Supplies the left side of the
head and neck.
3)Left subclavian artery: Supplies the left upper limb.

8. Descending thoracic aorta-
 The descending thoracic aorta starts from the
level of T4 vertebra and ends at the level of T12
vertebra.
 It is continuation of arch of aorta. it initially begins
to the left of the vertebral column but travels in the
midline as it descends. It leaves the thorax via
the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm, at level of T12
vertebra and continue as the abdominal aorta.

9. Branches of Thoracic Aorta -

10. Branches
 The 9 pairs of posterior intercostal arteries - supply the 3rd to
11th intercostal spaces
 Left bronchial artery (The right branches off usually from the
third posterior intercostal artery )
• Oesophageal arteries: Unpaired visceral branches arising
anteriorly to supply the oesophagus.
• Pericardial arteries: Small unpaired arteries that arise anteriorly
to supply the dorsal portion of the pericardium.
• Superior phrenic arteries: Paired parietal branches that supply
the superior portion of the diaphragm.
 The subcostal arteries supply the abdominal wall muscles.

11. Abdominal aorta -
At the level of the T12 vertebra the thoracic
aorta passes from aortic hiatus of
diaphragm and continue as the Abdominal
aorta.
 It is approximately 13cm long
Ends at the level of the L4 vertebra. At this
level, the aorta terminates by
bifurcating into the right and left common
iliac arteries that supply the lower body.

12. Branches of abdominal aorta-

13. Branches of abdominal aorta-
 Branches can be classified as ventral, lateral, dorsal and terminal branches.
1. Ventral branches- 1. celiac trunk – supply to foregut
2. Superior mesenteric artery- supply to midgut
3. Inferior mesenteric artery – supply to hindgut

14. Lateral branches-
1. Inferior phrenic - diaphragm
2.Middle suprarenal – suprarenal gland
3.Renal arteries – kidneys
4.Gonadal arteries - testicular/ ovarian arteries

15. Dorsal branches -
 4 lumbar pairs
 1 median sacral artery - unpaired

16. Terminal branches-
 Right and left common iliac arteries - terminal
branches of aorta at the level of L4 vertebra.

17. Clinical anatomy-
 Atherosclerosis
 Aortic aneurism

18. Thank you!!!
Specially thanks to Dr Kishor Pawar for diagrams of
aorta.