aorta

[ey-awr-tuh]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

aortas, aortae 

1. the main trunk of the arterial system, conveying blood from the left ventricle of the heart to all of the body except the lungs.

aorta

/ eɪˈɔːtə /

noun

1. the main vessel in the arterial network, which conveys oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body except the lungs

aorta

plural

aortas 

1. The main artery of the circulatory system, arising from the left ventricle of the heart in mammals and birds and carrying blood with high levels of oxygen to all the arteries of the body except those of the lungs.

aorta

1. The main blood vessel of the body; it carries blood from the left side of the heart to other arteries throughout the body. (See circulatory system.)

Other Word Forms

• aortic adjective
• aortal adjective
• postaortic adjective
• preaortic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aorta¹

1570–80; < Medieval Latin < Greek aortḗ the great artery, literally, something hung, carried; akin to aeírein to lift, carry

Word History and Origins

Origin of aorta¹

C16: from New Latin, from Greek aortē, literally: something lifted, from aeirein to raise