Anatomy of the Aorta

Image of the anatomy of the aorta

The aorta stems from the heart, arches upward, and then extends down behind the heart and through the chest (thorax) and the abdomen areas. The aorta then branches out and becomes the iliac arteries, which provide blood to the pelvis and legs.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerDavid A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery
Last RevisedFebruary 22, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: February 22, 2012
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery

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