Takayasu arteritis is an idiopathic inflammatory disease that primarily affects large elastic arteries, especially the aorta and its branches. It most commonly occurs in young females. The disease involves occlusive or ectatic changes in the arteries and can present with nonspecific early symptoms or later with signs of ischemia due to arterial occlusion. Diagnosis is based on criteria that consider clinical features, imaging findings, and laboratory tests showing inflammation. Treatment involves management of symptoms and immunosuppression.