The aorta stems from the heart, arches upward (the aortic arch), and then extends down behind the heart and through the chest (the thoracic aorta) and the abdomen areas (the abdominal aorta). The aorta then branches out and becomes the iliac arteries, which provide blood to the pelvis and legs.
Current as of:
December 19, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine David A. Szalay MD - Vascular Surgery Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & David A. Szalay MD - Vascular Surgery & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine