Ascending aorta 4040690 223234320 2008-07-03T04:48:17Z 203.211.120.147 /* Components */ {{Infobox Artery | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = pars ascendens aortae, aorta ascendens | GraySubject = 142 | Image = Gray506.svg | Caption = Plan of the branches. | Image2 = Gray505.png| Caption2 = The arch of the aorta, and its branches. | BranchFrom = | BranchTo = [[aortic arch]], [[right coronary artery]], [[left coronary artery]] | Vein = | Supplies = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = p_07 | DorlandsSuf = 12616312 | }} The '''ascending aorta''' is a portion of the [[aorta]] commencing at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the [[sternum]]; it passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart’s axis, as high as the upper border of the second right [[costal cartilage]], describing a slight curve in its course, and being situated, about 6 cm behind the posterior surface of the [[sternum]]. The total length is about 5 cm in length. ==Components== The aortic root is the portion of the ascending aorta beginning at the aortic annulus and extending to the sinotubular junction. Between each commissure of the [[aortic valve]] and opposite the cusps of the aortic valve, three small dilatations called the [[aortic sinuses]]. The sinotubular junction is the point in the ascending aorta where the aortic sinuses end and the aorta becomes a tubular structure. ==Relations== At the union of the ascending aorta with the [[aortic arch]] the caliber of the vessel is increased, owing to a bulging of its right wall. This dilatation is termed the bulb of the [[aorta]], and on transverse section presents a somewhat oval figure. The ascending aorta is contained within the [[pericardium]], and is enclosed in a tube of the serous pericardium, common to it and the [[pulmonary artery]]. ==Relations== The ascending aorta is covered at its commencement by the trunk of the [[pulmonary artery]] and the right [[auricula]], and, higher up, is separated from the sternum by the pericardium, the right pleura, the anterior margin of the right lung, some loose areolar tissue, and the remains of the thymus; posteriorly, it rests upon the left atrium and right pulmonary artery. On the right side, it is in relation with the [[superior vena cava]] and [[right atrium]], the former lying partly behind it; on the left side, with the pulmonary artery. ==Branches== The only branches of the ascending aorta are the two coronary arteries which supply the heart; they arise near the commencement of the aorta immediately above the attached margins of the [[semi lunar valves]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray490.png|Front view of heart and lungs. </gallery> ==External links== * {{GPnotebook|1905918009}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|Ascending+aorta}} {{Gray's}} {{circulatory-stub}} {{Arteries of chest}} [[ar:أبهر صاعد]] [[da:Aorta ascendens]] [[dv:މައްޗަށްއަރާ އެއޯޓާ]] [[hr:Uzlazna aorta]] [[ja:上行大動脈]] [[pt:Aorta ascendente]]