Source descending aorta Dorlands
/Elsevier p_07/12617966 | MeSH A07.231.114.056.372 TA A12.2.11.001 | |
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Branches bronchial arteries, esophageal arteries, posterior intercostal arteries, abdominal aorta, superior phrenic artery, pericardial arteries Latin pars thoracica aortae, aorta thoracalis | ||
The thoracic aorta is a part of the aorta located in the thorax. It is a continuation of the descending aorta and contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity. The thoracic aorta begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch, and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta.
Contents
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 thoracic aorta has a curved shape that faces forward, and has small branches. It has a radius of approximately 1.16 cm.
Structure
The thoracic aorta is part of the aorta, which has different parts named according to their structure or location. The thoracic aorta is a continuation of the descending aorta and becomes the abdominal aorta when it passes through the diaphragm. The initial part of the aorta, the ascending aorta, rises out of the left ventricle, from which it is separated by the aortic valve. The two coronary arteries of the heart arise from the aortic root, just above the cusps of the aortic valve. The aorta then arches back over the right pulmonary artery. Three vessels come out of the aortic arch: the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. These vessels supply blood to the head, neck, thorax and upper limbs.
Behind the thoracic aorta is the vertebral column and the hemiazygos vein. To the right is the azygos veins and thoracic duct, and to the left is the left pleura and lung. In front of the thoracic aorta lies the root of the left lung, the pericardium, the esophagus, and the diaphragm.
The esophagus, which is covered by a nerve plexus lies to the right of the thoracic aorta. Lower, the esophagus passes in front of the aorta, and ultimately is situated on the left.
Function
The aorta is an artery that conveys oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body. It is one of the largest arteries in the body. The aorta gives off several paired branches as it descends. In descending order, these include the
Note: The posterior intercostal arteries are branches that originate throughout the length of the posterior aspect of the thoracic aorta.