Aorta- Descending Thoracic

Question 1

Descending Aorta: Location and Pathway

Answer 1

Begins at Lower TV4 to left of body, moves medially as it descends

Lies in the mid-line at TV12 where it ends by passing behind the diaphragm, entering the abdominal cavity, and changing its name to abdominal aorta

Question 2

Left Directional Relationships

Answer 2

Left Lung

Question 3

Posterior Directional Relationship

Answer 3

High: CT between vertebral column and lung

Low: Vertebral column

Question 4

Right Directional Relationships

Answer 4

High: Vertebral Column

Middle: esophagus

Low: Right lung

Question 5

Anterior Directional Relationships

Answer 5

High: Root of left lung

Low: Esophagus then diaphragm

Question 6

What are the 5 main branches of the descending aorta?

Answer 6

3rd-11th Intercostal ARteries + Subcostal ARtery

2 Left Bronchial ARteries

Esophageal Arteries

Mediastinal and Pericardial ARteries

Superior Phrenic ARteries