Aorta - The Course of The Aorta

The Course of The Aorta

The aorta is usually divided into five segments/sections:

• Ascending aorta—the section between the heart and the arch of aorta
• Arch of aorta—the peak part that looks somewhat like an inverted "U"
• Descending aorta—the section from the arch of aorta to the point where it divides into the common iliac arteries
  • Thoracic aorta—the half of the descending aorta above the diaphragm
  • Abdominal aorta—the half of the descending aorta below the diaphragm