Aorta

Aorta
Aorta
	Schematic view of the aorta and its segments
	Branches of the aorta
Details
Pronunciation	/eɪˈɔːrtə/
Precursor	Truncus arteriosus, fourth left branchial artery, paired dorsal aortae (combine into the single descending aorta)
Source	Left ventricle
Branches	Ascending aorta: Right and left coronary arteries Arch of aorta (supra-aortic vessels): Brachiocephalic trunk Left common carotid artery Left subclavian artery Descending aorta, thoracic part: Left bronchial arteries Esophageal arteries to the thoracic part of the esophagus Third to eleventh posterior intercostal arteries and the subcostal arteries Descending aorta, abdominal part: Parietal branches: Inferior phrenic arteries Lumbar arteries Median sacral artery Visceral branches: Celiac trunk Middle suprarenal arteries Superior mesenteric artery Renal arteries Gonadal arteries (testicular in males, ovarian in females) Inferior mesenteric artery Terminal branches: Common iliac arteries Median sacral artery
Vein	Combination of coronary sinus, superior vena cava and inferior vena cava
Supplies	The systemic circulation; (entire body with exception of the respiratory zone of the lung which is supplied by the pulmonary circulation)
Identifiers
Latin	aorta, arteria maxima
MeSH	D001011
TA98	A12.2.02.001
TA2	4175
FMA	3734
	Anatomical terminology

The aorta (/eɪˈɔːrtə/ ay-OR-tə; pl.: aortas or aortae) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart, branching upwards immediately after, and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits at the aortic bifurcation into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body through the systemic circulation.

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