Aortic Arch Anatomy

The aortic arch is the portion of the main artery that bends between the ascending and descending aorta. It leaves the heart and ascends then descends back to create the arch.

Arch Of Aorta

Normally the aorta ascends in the superior mediastinum to the level of the sternal notch before arching posteriorly and descending in the left hemithorax.

Aortic arch anatomy. The descending thoracic aorta travels down through the chest. Certain complications of the aorta may ultimately lead to blocked blood vessels. Variant anatomy of the aortic arch occurs when there is failure of normal aortic development.

The aortic arch functions as a manifold to fill the three arteries that branch off of it and to continue the remainder of the blood flow lower on the body. The aortic arch represents the direct continuation of the ascending aorta and represents a key area for a review of normal variant anatomy and a wide range of pathological processes that range from congenital anomalies to traumatic injury. It results in a number of heterogenous anomalies of the aorta and its branch vessels.

The arch travels backward so that it ultimately runs to the left of the trachea. The muscle tone of the aorta plays a big part in the ability of the heart to fully expand and in the overall control of blood pressure in the body. The aortic arch curves over the heart giving rise to branches that bring blood to the head neck and arms.

The aortic arch arch of the aorta or transverse aortic arch is the part of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. The aorta distributes blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body.

Anatomy Branches Of The Aortic Arch