The arch of the aorta begins at the level of the sternal angle and arches over the root of the left lung in the superior mediastinum. It begins as the continuation of the ascending aorta and passes up, back, and left before turning backwards and downwards to become the descending aorta at the level of T4. It has anterior relations to the left lung and pleura and posterior relations to the trachea, esophagus, and thoracic duct. Its branches include the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.

1. Arch of Aorta
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2. - Arch of Aorta is continuation of asc aorta at sternal
angle
- Begins and terminates at sternal angle
- Connects ascg & descg aorta
- Arches over root of left lung
- Situated in sup mediastinum behind manubrium
- Summit of arch reaches level of middle of manubrium
Introduction

4. Course
- Begins as continuation of ascg aorta behind Rt
2nd
chondrosternal joint
- Passes up, back and left infront of bifurcation
of trachea
- finally turns backwards & downwards behind
the left bronchus n continues as descg aorta at
lower border of T4 V

5. Course

6. Course

7. Azygos vein
TS at T4 V level
CS- superior mediastinum

8. Relations

9. Anterior & to left –
Lt pleura & lung
Lt phrenic N
left cardiac nerves
(Inf cervical cardiac br of Xth N
Sup cervical cardiac br Symp trunk
Lt vagus
Lt Rec laryngeal N hooks upwards
below arch of aorta
Lt sup IC vein

10. Posterior & to right –
Trachea with deep cardiac plexus
Oesophagus
Lt Rec laryngeal nerve
Thoracic duct
Vertebral column

11. Inferior
• Left bronchus
• Bifurcation of pul trunk
• Lig arteriosum
• Left recurrent laryngeal
nerve
• Sup cardiac plexus

12. Superior
• Brachiocephalic trunk
• Lt commom carotid A
• Lt subclavian A
• Lt brachiocephalic vein

13. Branches
- Rt brachiocephalic trunk
– div into Rt CC & Rt SC artery
- Lt common carotid artery
- Lt subclavian artery
- Occasionally Thyroidea
Ima A & Vertebral A

14. Brachiocephalic
trunk
Lt Common Carotid
Lt Subclavian
Branches
Arch of Aorta

15. Development

18. Developmental anomalies

20. Applied Anatomy

21. Aortic knuckle

22. Coarctation of aorta
localised narrowing of aorta distal to Left
Subclavian origin
1.Preductal
2.Postductal
3.Juxtraductal
collateral circulation b/w SC & Descg
Thoracic aorta
• Notching of ribs
• Pulsating scapula

25. Aortic aneurysm – localised dilatation of aorta

29. Patent ductus arteriosus