Aorta
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The '''aorta''' (pronounced "ay-OR-tuh") is the largest [[artery]] in the [[human body]], originating from the [[left ventricle]] of the [[heart]] and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the [[systemic circulation]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Maton
| first = Anthea
| authorlink = Jean Hopkins, Charles William McLaughlin, Susan Johnson, Maryanna Quon Warner, David LaHart, Jill D. Wright
| coauthors =
| title = Human Biology anokjkjjkjjlkuhuuonjld Health
| publisher = Prentice Hall
| date = 1993
| location = Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
| pages =
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 0-13-981176-1}}</ref>
==The course of the aorta==
The aorta is usually divided into seven segments/sections<ref>Tortora, Gerard J: "Principles of Human W. & Karen A. Koos: ''Human Anatomy, second edition'', page 479. Wm. C. Brown Publishing, 1994 (ISBN 0-697-12252-2)</ref> <ref>De Graaff, Van: "Human Anatomy, fifth edition", pages 548-549. WCB McGraw-Hill, 1998 (ISBN 0-697-28413-1)</ref> :
* [[Ascending aorta]]—the section between the heart and the arch of aorta
* [[Arch of aorta]]—the peak part that looks somewhat like an inverted "U"
* [[Descending aorta]]—the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the [[common iliac arteries]]
** [[Thoracic aorta]]—the half of the descending aorta above the [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]]
** [[Abdominal aorta]]—the half of the descending aorta below the [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]]
==Features==
The aorta is a hard artery, and as such is quite distensible. When the left ventricle contracts to force blood into the aorta, the aorta expands. This stretching gives the potential energy that will help maintain blood pressure during [[diastole]], as during this time the aorta contracts passively.
{{Heart diagram}}
==Diseases/pathology==
* [[Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva]]
* [[Aortic aneurysm]] - myotic, bacterial (e.g. [[syphilis]]), senile, genetic, associated with [[valvular heart disease]]
** [[Aortic dissection|Dissecting aortic aneurysm]]
* [[Aortic coarctation]] - pre-[[ductus arteriosus|ductal]], post-ductal
* [[Atherosclerosis]]
* [[Marfan syndrome]]
* [[Aortic stenosis]]
* [[Physical trauma|Trauma]], such as [[traumatic aortic rupture]], most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery<ref>Samett EJ.
[http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic44.htm http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic44.htm Aorta, Trauma]. eMedicine.com. Accessed on: [[April 24]], [[2007]].</ref> and frequently quickly fatal<ref>{{cite journal | author = Tambyraja, A| title = Aortic Trauma in Scotland - A Population Based Study. | journal = European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery | volume = 32| issue = 6| pages = 686–689| year = 2006 | pmid = 16750920| doi = 10.1016/j.ejvs.2006.04.006}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{wiktionary}}
* {{GraySubject|153}} - Descending aorta
* {{GraySubject|154}} - Abdominal aorta
{{Cardiovascular system}}
{{Arteries of chest}}
{{Arteries of abdomen}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Abdomen]]
[[Category:Thorax]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular system]]
[[ar:أبهر (شريان)]]
[[ast:Aorta]]
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[[he:אב העורקים]]
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[[mk:Аорта]]
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[[ru:Аорта]]
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[[sk:Srdcovnica]]
[[sr:Аорта]]
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[[tg:Аорта]]
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