Ascending aorta
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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]]