Descending aorta

Definition

The descending aorta is the portion of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, that runs down through the chest (thoracic aorta) and abdomen (abdominal aorta), delivering oxygen-rich blood to the lower parts of the body. It follows the arch of the aorta and extends to where it bifurcates into the two common iliac arteries in the lower abdomen.

Related terms

Aortic Arch:

The part of the aorta that bends between the ascending and descending sections of the aorta, serving as a crucial pathway for blood before it descends.

Abdominal Aorta:

The section of the descending aorta located in the abdomen that supplies oxygen-rich blood to abdominal organs.

Thoracic Aorta: The section of the descending aorta that travels through the chest area, providing oxygenated blood to chest structures and organs