The Clinical Anatomy of the Vascular System | Ch 28
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
6-12-2025
Editor
Stephen J. Bordes, Jr. et al
Abstract
The aorta is the major outflow vessel of the left ventricle of the heart, originating from just distal to the aortic valve and continuing through the thorax and abdomen until its termination into the left and right common iliac arteries near the pelvic inlet. The aorta is divided into three sections depending on location: the ascending aorta, the arch of the aorta, and the descending aorta. The descending aorta is further subdivided into thoracic and abdominal components. The ascending aorta is the initial portion arising distal to the aortic valve, ascending anterior to the trachea, and transitioning into the arch of the aorta at the junction with the brachiocephalic trunk, also known as the innominate artery. This junction between the ascending aorta and the arch of the aorta occurs approximately at the level of articulation between the body of the sternum and the manubrium or the sternal angle (Collins et al. 2014; Saliba et al. 2015a). The ascending aorta can be further subdivided into two sections: the aortic root and the tubular ascending aorta. The aortic root is the first portion arising from the ventricular outflow tract and extending to the sinotubular junction. The tubular ascending aorta is the portion from the sinotubular junction to the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. The aortic arch curves to the left of the body in most individuals and gives off three main branches: the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid, and the left subclavian artery. The arch then begins its descent as the descending thoracic aorta at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebral body (Collins et al. 2014).
First Page
223
Last Page
229
Chapter Title
Chapter 28 - Ascending Aorta
Publisher
Springer Nature
ISBN
[9783031783258, 9783031783265]
Rights
© 2025 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Recommended Citation
Csenge, Caroline and Legare, Timothy, "The Clinical Anatomy of the Vascular System | Ch 28" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4272.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4272
10.1007/978-3-031-78326-5_28