Aorta

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The aorta (generally pronounced eɪ&#712;&#596;&#720;tə or "ay-orta") 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.

The course of the aorta
The aorta is usually divided into five segments/sections :
 * Ascending aorta &mdash; the section between the heart and the arch of aorta
 * Arch of aorta &mdash; the peak part that looks somewhat like an inverted "U"
 * Descending aorta &mdash; the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the common iliac arteries
 * Thoracic aorta &mdash; the half of the descending aorta above the diaphragm
 * Abdominal aorta &mdash; the half of the descending aorta below the diaphragm

Features
The aorta is an elastic 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.

Diseases/pathology

 * Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
 * Aortic aneurysm - myotic, bacterial (e.g. syphilis), senile, genetic, associated with valvular heart disease
 * Dissecting aortic aneurysm
 * Aortic coarctation - pre-ductal, post-ductal
 * Atherosclerosis
 * Marfan syndrome
 * Trauma, such as traumatic aortic rupture, most often thoracic and distal to the left subclavian artery and frequently quickly fatal