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| Ascending aorta | |
|---|---|
 The ascending aorta andaortic arch with their branches | |
 Course of the ascending aorta (anterior view), as it passes dorsally to thepulmonary trunk but ventrally to theright pulmonary artery. | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Truncus arteriosus |
| Source | Left ventricle |
| Branches | Left coronary artery,right coronary artery and continues as theaortic arch |
| Vein | Combination ofsuperior andinferior vena cava andcoronary sinus |
| Supplies | The entire body, with exception of therespiratory zone of thelung |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | aorta ascendens, pars ascendens aortae |
| TA98 | A12.2.03.001 |
| TA2 | 4176 |
| FMA | 3736 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Theascending aorta (AAo)[1] is a portion of theaorta commencing at the upper part of the base of theleft ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of thesternum.
It passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart's axis, as high as the upper border of the second rightcostal cartilage, describing a slight curve in its course, and being situated, about 6 centimetres (2.4 in) behind the posterior surface of thesternum. The total length is about 5 centimetres (2.0 in).
Theaortic root is the portion of the aorta beginning at the aortic annulus and extending to the sinotubular junction. It is sometimes regarded as a part of the ascending aorta,[2] and sometimes regarded as a separate entity from the rest of the ascending aorta.[3]
Between each commissure of theaortic valve and opposite the cusps of the aortic valve, three small dilations called thesinuses of Valsalva.
The sinotubular junction is the point in the ascending aorta where the sinuses of Valsalva end and the aorta becomes a tubular structure.
Athoracic aorta diameter greater than 3.5 cm is generally considered dilated, whereas a diameter greater than 4.5 cm is generally considered to be athoracic aortic aneurysm.[4] Still, the average diameter in the population varies by for example age and sex. The upper limit ofstandard reference range of the ascending aorta may be up to 4.3 cm among large, elderly individuals.[5]
At the union of the ascending aorta with theaortic arch the caliber of the vessel is increased, owing to a bulging of its right wall.
This dilatation is termed the bulb of theaorta, and on transverse section presents a somewhat oval figure.
The ascending aorta is contained within thepericardium, and is enclosed in a tube of the serous pericardium, common to it and thepulmonary artery.
The ascending aorta is covered at its commencement by the trunk of thepulmonary artery and theright auricula, and, higher up, is separated from the sternum by the pericardium, the right pleura, the anterior margin of the right lung, some loose areolar tissue, and the remains of the thymus; posteriorly, it rests upon the left atrium and right pulmonary artery.
On the right side, it is in relation with thesuperior vena cava andright atrium, the former lying partly behind it; on the left side, with the pulmonary artery.
The only branches of the ascending aorta are the twocoronary arteries which supply the heart; they arise near the commencement of the aorta from the aortic sinuses which are opposite theaortic valve.
Porcelain aorta is extensiveatherosclerotic calcification of the ascending aorta.[6] It makesaortic surgery difficult, especiallyaortic cross-clamping, and incisions may result in excessive aortic injury and/orarterial embolism.[6]
The ascending aorta segment is of significant due to its susceptibility toaortic dissection, two times more than in the descending aorta. Early detection of dissection is critical because it allows for prompt intervention to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.[7]
Diagnostic methods such asechocardiography,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) andcomputed tomography (CT) scans, often withcontrast enhancement, are used in the detection of pathology and evaluation of ascending aorta.
This article incorporates text in thepublic domain frompage 545 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
