It is about time that the Aorta got its due.

Uncomplicated type B aortic dissection

The human Aorta is the main blood vessel of the body - running lengthwise through the chest and abdomen - which begins at the level of the Aortic valve of the heart and ends deep inside the pelvis.  It carries all of the blood ejected by the heart and efficiently distributes that blood throughout the body by means of branches.

The diameter of the Aorta varies, but is normally about 1 inch.  The Aorta physically expands and contracts in unison with the ejection of blood (systole) from the left ventricle of the heart and relaxes during diastole while the heart is filling with blood.

The arterial wall of the Aorta is composed of three distinct biologic layers which are intimately fused together.  These layers can spontaneously tear apart (lengthwise) which is called an “Aortic dissection”.  Similarly, the layers of the Aortic wall can weaken and degenerate which allows a localized expansion (like a bubble) which is called an “Aortic aneurysm”.

This site is dedicated to “all things Aorta” - the good, the bad and the ugly.  Together, we will explore the human Aorta, including its diseases, associated symptoms and treatments.