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

Explanation

The aorta is a big artery — it’s the biggest one you’ve got. You have the aorta to thank for circulating oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. The aorta is sometimes called a trunk artery. It begins at the left ventricle of your heart and runs down your abdomen, with other smaller arteries branching off throughout your body. So it sort of looks like the trunk of a tree that supports other branches. The heart pumps the blood flowing through the aorta, which is sent throughout the body. The aorta does all this work even though it’s only about a foot long and an inch in diameter.

Example Sentences

“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 • May 23, 2024

These complications include carotid artery calcification, calcification of the abdominal aorta and peripheral vessels in the lower extremities, and small vessel disease in the feet.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

Steve was found to have a faulty aortic valve and enlarged aorta, which resulted in surgery in 2023.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2024

Just two weeks prior, during a routine chest X-ray, they’d noticed a suspicious bulge where a suspicious bulge shouldn’t be, sitting on her aorta.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2024

Blamed on bad shellfish, elusive viruses, or an overlooked weakness in the aorta.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins