Normal Adult Aorta

The Aorta

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It has a cane shape that starts in the heart, briefly curves up towards the head, then curves down through the chest and abdomen. A series of blood vessels attached to the aorta deliver blood to organs and tissues throughout the body. 

Parts of the Aorta 

The aorta consists of three layers of tissue:

• Inner layer (tunica intima) enables blood flow while preserving oxygen and nutrients.
• Middle layer (tunica media) allows the aorta to widen and narrow depending on blood flow needs.
• Outer layer (tunica adventitia) anchors the vessels to other organs and tissues.

There are five main parts of the aorta:

• Aortic root: The widest part of the aorta that attaches to the left ventricle of the heart. 
• Aortic valve: Three flaps of tissue, called leaflets, that open and close to allow blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. 
• Ascending aorta: The part of the aorta that curves upward from the heart.
• Aortic arch: The curved part of the aorta that connects the ascending and descending aorta.
• Descending aorta: The part of the aorta that extends down through the chest and abdomen. 

What Conditions Can Affect the Aorta?

The branches of the aorta deliver blood to most of the major organs and tissues in the body. A variety of conditions can interfere with this essential function, including:

• Aortic aneurysm: A bulge in the aorta.
• Aortic dissection: A tear in the lining of the aorta.
• Aortic stenosis: Narrowing and stiffening of the aorta.
• Aortic regurgitation (leaky heart valve): A weakness in the valve flaps.
• Aortic atherosclerosis: Plaque development inside the aorta.
• Certain congenital conditions including bicuspid aortic valve disease and other heart defects.
• Genetic conditions including, Marfan syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.