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1. Any disorder that causes occlusion of the arteries that arise from the aortic arch.2. Synonym for Takayasu disease.3. The subclavian steal syndrome.

The second section of the aorta following the ascending aorta. As it continues from the heart, it gives off the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left common carotid and subclavian arteries. The brachiocephalic trunk splits to form the right subclavian and the right common carotid arteries, which supply blood to the right arm and the right side of the neck…

An outpouching (a local widening) of the largest artery in the body, the aorta, involving that vessel in its course above the diaphragm (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or, more commonly, below the diaphragm (abdominal aortic aneurysm). The diagnosis of an aortic aneurysm can be straight forward or difficult. Around 1900 the eminent physician William Osler said: “There is no disease more conducive…

Pertaining to the aorta, the largest artery in the body. “Aortic” is in common usage as, for example, in an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The term “aortal” has the same meaning but is rarely encountered (except in The New York Times crossword).

Pertaining to the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Aortal is not often encountered (except in The New York Times crossword). The preferred term is aortic.

The thoracic aorta is a section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, within the chest. Specifically, the thoracic aorta is that part of the aorta that starts after the arch of the aorta and runs down to the diaphragm, the great muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. The thoracic aorta gives…

The descending aorta is the part of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, that runs down through the chest and the abdomen. The descending aorta starts after the arch of the aorta and ends by splitting into two great arteries (the common iliac arteries) that go to the legs. The descending aorta, by convention, is…

A constriction of the aorta. At the point of coarctation, the sides of the aorta appear to be pressed together. Blood pressure is increased above the constriction, and the flow of blood is impeded below the level of the constriction. Symptoms may not be evident at birth but can develop as soon as the first week after…

The ascending aorta is the first section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The ascending aorta starts from the left ventricle of the heart and extends to the arch (the bend) of the aorta. The right and left coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle arise from the ascending aorta. The ascending aorta is an arbitrary…

The abdominal aorta is the final section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It is a continuation of the thoracic aorta. It begins at the diaphragm, and runs down to the point where it ends (by splitting in two to form the common iliac arteries). The abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to all…