Aorta

The aorta ( altgr. ἀορτή aorta, of ἀείρω aeirō " I raise "), even the aorta or large aorta is a large blood vessel, which arises directly from the left side of the heart. She runs the blood from the left ventricle (left ventricle ) in the vessels of the circulatory system.

The aorta is the largest artery ( artery) of the body. In adults, it has a diameter of about 2.5-3.5 cm and a length of 30-40 cm in the rule. It has the form of an upright walking stick with a curved top and a straight course down into the pelvic area.

Sections

In anatomy, surgery and imaging procedures, a distinction is for better orientation following aortic sections:

  • Ascending aorta ( ascending aorta ), the almost vertically extending from the left ventricle to the top and is separated therefrom by the aortic valve. It lies entirely within the pericardium cavity and is only a few inches long. The slightly curved extended initial part of the aorta ( aortic bulb or bulb of aorta ) consists of the three sine aorta ( sinus of Valsalva also ) that are limited by the closing edge of the respective Aortenklappensegels and the aortic wall. From the front and left sinus arise directly at the heart of the coronary arteries ( arteries coronariae ) to supply the heart muscle.
  • Aortic arch ( aortic arch ) as continuation of vertically ascending aorta. Among others, the arteries going from the supply of the head and arms from the aortic arch. The three main outlets of the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic trunk of the common carotid artery vein and the subclavian vein.
  • Descending aorta ( descending aorta ) that pulls up into the pelvic area and there divides into two large pelvic arteries. It is about 30 cm long and is again divided into sub-sections: Thoracic aorta ( thoracic aorta ) which lies completely in the chest. They are vessels for the pericardium to the intercostal spaces, to the esophagus and for self-supply of the lung tissue from ( not to be confused with the vessels that lead to the absorption of oxygen by the lungs, these come from the small bloodstream ). After passing through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm is derived from the thoracic aorta at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra the
  • Abdominal aorta ( abdominal aorta ), the ( renal arteries ) can in turn be divided into two segments based on the departure of the two renal arteries: Abdominal aorta above the renal arteries ( suprarenal abdominal aorta ) that the celiac trunk gives off immediately after diaphragmatic passage for the supply of the stomach, spleen, duodenum, pancreas and liver. Another outlet ( superior mesenteric artery ) supplies the main part of the intestine and other digestive organs.
  • Abdominal aorta below the renal arteries ( abdominal aorta infrarenalis ), from the vessels of the lower intestinal segments ( inferior mesenteric artery ), the rectum and some pelvic organs depart. This aortic finally divided at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra in the basin in the two large pelvic arteries ( arteries, iliac ).

Windkessel function

Due to the great elasticity of their vessel, the aorta wall meets a so-called Windkessel function that makes pressure equalization from the relapsing ejected from the heart's blood a continuous blood flow. The pressure of the blood is determined by pressure sensors (called baroreceptors ) were measured continuously.

Study opportunities

  • Palpation ( palpation )
  • Ultrasound
  • Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE ) in which swallowed an ultrasound probe and the investigation is made ​​of the lying right next to the heart esophagus
  • Computed tomography ( CT)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI)
  • Angiography, are made ​​in the after administration of contrast medium x-rays of blood vessels
  • Radiograph of the thoracic
  • Cardiac catheterization ( Diagnosis and Intervention )

Diseases of the aorta

  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Arteriosclerosis ( hardening of the arteries in the vernacular )
  • Aortic aneurysm ( ballooning of the aortic wall due to decreasing elasticity, usually in the abdominal aorta occurs )
  • Aortic dissection (solution of individual vascular wall layers from each other )
  • Rupture (complete tear in the aortic wall, is most common in accidents or sacs; very little chance of survival )
  • Closure of the aorta ( for example, by thrombosis, tumors in the abdominal cavity, etc.)
  • Marfan syndrome ( genetic defect in which the elasticity of the aortic wall is reduced due to congenital disorders of connective tissue, which can lead to outgrowths )
  • Aortic arch syndrome
  • Cystic medial necrosis Erdheim - Gsell
  • Syphilis of the aorta ( aortitis Luica )
  • Takayasu 's arteritis ( autoimmune disease )
Thoracic vertebrae Lumbar vertebrae Windkessel effect Takayasu's arteritis Overriding aorta
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