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

"Severe pulmonary hypertension or some types of Marfan Syndrome with substantial dilation of the Aorta are two examples of conditions which pose high risks of dying as the pregnancy progresses."

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2022

Figure 20.25 Aorta The aorta has distinct regions, including the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending aorta, which includes the thoracic and abdominal regions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 20.29 Major Branches of the Aorta The flow chart summarizes the distribution of the major branches of the aorta into the thoracic and abdominal regions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Stokes' work on Diseases of the Chest and, later in life, his treatise on Diseases of the Heart and Aorta stamp him as one of the great physicians of all time.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Well, that is the rampart which has been given to the Aorta.

From The History of a Mouthful of Bread And its effect on the organization of men and animals by Macé, Jean