aorty

Aorty is not a standard term in human anatomy; the main arterial trunk from the heart is the aorta (plural aortae). The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

The aorta originates at the left ventricle, where blood is ejected into the ascending aorta. It curves as the aortic arch and gives off its major branches—the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. The descending aorta runs through the thorax (the thoracic aorta) and continues through the diaphragm as the abdominal aorta; it ends near the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra by dividing into the left and right common iliac arteries. Branches along its course include the coronary arteries from the ascending aorta, and visceral arteries such as the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, renal arteries, gonadal arteries, and inferior mesenteric artery.

The aortic wall comprises three layers: intima, media, and adventitia. The media contains elastic fibers and smooth muscle; proximal portions are highly elastic to accommodate stroke volume and enable Windkessel recoil, which dampens pressure fluctuations and maintains perfusion during diastole.

Clinically, diseases of the aorta include aneurysm (dilation with risk of rupture) and dissection (a tear in the intima with blood separating layers). Atherosclerosis, connective tissue disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome), and congenital anomalies such as coarctation or bicuspid aortic valve can affect the aorta. Diagnosis relies on imaging modalities like ultrasound, CT, and MRI, and treatment ranges from medical management to surgical repair or endovascular intervention.