The aorta is a large blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood
from the heart to the rest of the body. It leaves the heart, arches upward,
then travels down through the chest and into the abdomen.
The aorta has two main portions:
The thoracic portion of the aorta travels
through the chest and supplies blood to the upper body.
The
abdominal portion of the aorta travels through the abdomen and supplies blood
to the lower body.
Credits
By:
Healthwise Staff
Last Revised: November 2, 2011
Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology
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