aorta

[ ey-awr-tuh ]

/ eɪˈɔr tə /

noun, plural a·or·tas, a·or·tae [ey-awr-tee] /eɪˈɔr ti/. Anatomy.

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

Nearby words

Origin of aorta

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

Related formsa·or·tic, a·or·tal, adjectivepost·a·or·tic, adjectivepre·a·or·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aortic

The hard work began after Walters had her aortic valve replaced with one from a cow.
Barbara Walters Opens Up About Her Heart Surgery|Howard Kurtz|February 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Doctors there performed a 20-hour surgery in an attempt to repair his aortic dissection.
What Killed Richard Holbrooke?|Casey Schwartz|December 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Even though he underwent an aortic valve replacement in 2008, he insists he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
Jim Lehrer's Cross-Country Fantasy|Sandra McElwaine|April 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Diseases of the aortic valves of the heart cause visible pulsations of the arteries, especially of those in the neck.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

He describes all the varying forms of affections of the aortic valve, with their various clinical manifestations.
Makers of Modern Medicine|James J. Walsh
They are at first very closely connected with the aortic heart (fig. 127, kd), but soon become completely separated from it.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour
In cases of aortic insufficiency, the reaction is present in almost every case.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield
In one case a soldier suffering from aortic aneurism arrived in Egypt, and similar instances might be given.
The Australian Army Medical Corps in Egypt|James W. Barrett

British Dictionary definitions for aortic

aorta

/ (eɪˈɔːtə) /

noun plural -tas or -tae (-tiː)

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

Derived Formsaortic or aortal, adjective

Word Origin for aorta

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aortic

aorta

1570s, from Medieval Latin aorta, from Greek aorte, term applied by Aristotle to the great artery of the heart, literally "what is hung up," from aeirein "to lift, heave, raise," of uncertain origin; related to the second element in meteor. Used earlier by Hippocrates of the bronchial tubes. Related: Aortal; aortic.

Medicine definitions for aortic

aorta

[ ā-ôr′tə ]

n. pl. a•or•tas

The large artery that is the main trunk of the systemic arterial system, arising from the base of the left ventricle, ending at the left side of the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra, dividing to form the right and left common iliac arteries, and whose parts are the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta.

Related formsa•or′tal null adj.

Science definitions for aortic

aorta

[ ā-ôr′tə ]

Plural aortas aortae (ā-ôr′tē)

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.

Culture definitions for aortic

aorta

[ (ay-awr-tuh) ]

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.)