MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

CHAPTER 5. THE PROCESS OF BLOOD AND LYMPH CIRCULATION. ITS PATHOLOGY

VESSELS OF THE SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION

1. AORTA

The aorta is the largest Blood vessel in the body. It originates from the left ventricle and is divided into the following parts: 1) ascending aorta; 2) aortic arch; 3) descending aorta, which, in turn, includes the thoracic and abdominal parts (Fig. 5.14).

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Fig. 5.14. The aorta and its branches

The ascending aorta (pars ascendens aortae) begins with a dilation called the aortic bulb, which contains the aortic valve. The right and left coronary Arteries, which supply blood to The Heart, branch off from this section. At the level of the manubrium of the Sternum, it continues into the aortic arch. At the level of the IV thoracic vertebra, the aortic arch transitions into the descending aorta (pars descendens aortae). The latter lies in the posterior Mediastinum, passes through the aortic hiatus of the Diaphragm into the Abdominal cavity, where, at the level of the IV lumbar vertebra, it divides into the right and left common iliac arteries.