aorta

American  

[ey-awr-tuh] / eɪˈɔr tə /

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.

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aorta British  

/ 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

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aorta Scientific  

/ ā-ôr′tə /

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.

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aorta Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of aorta

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

Example Sentences

When the medics released the valve, it moved into the aorta, a blood vessel in the heart.

From BBC

Pathologist Muhammad Aslam reported that the cause of death was due to acute bleeding from the abdominal aorta, that had been repaired.

From BBC

Isiekwe has won 11 England caps, having made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2017, but faced the prospect of early retirement two years ago after an MRI scan showed his aorta had swollen dangerously.

From BBC

As some people get older, the wall of the aorta weakens and expands to form an AAA.

From BBC

“I was missing my right leg below the knee, had a patched aorta and more broken bones than I can remember.”

From Los Angeles Times