The Aorta

Question 1

Progression of the Aorta & Landmarks

Answer 1

• ASCENDING AORTA
• AORTIC ARCH (T4)
• DESCENDING AORTA (T4)

(diaphragm)

• ABDOMINAL AORTA (T12)

(RENAL ARTERIES L1-L2 IVS)

• COMMON ILIAC ARTERIES (L4 bifurcation, iliac fossa)
• EXT. & INT. ILIAC ARTERIES (L5-S1 bifurcation)

Question 2

Branches of ascending aorta

Answer 2

L & R Coronary Arteries

Question 3

Branches of aortic arch

Answer 3

Brachiocephalic Trunk (BT) -> Right subclavian & RCC

Left Common Carotid Artery (LCC)

Left Subclavian Artery

Question 4

Branches of descending aorta

Answer 4

Posterior intercostal arteries (4-12 rib)

Oesoph. arteries

Bronchial arteries

Mediastinal branches

Question 5

Internal thoracic arteries: arise and supply

Answer 5

Arise from subclavian and lie alongside internal thoracic veins

= anterior intercostal arteries @ intercostal spaces

= supply breast, fibrous pericardium, parietal pleura, and diaphgragm

Question 6

Internal thoracic arteries anastomoses

Answer 6

Int. Thoracic Art. anastomose with posterior intercostal artery (descending aorta) at the intercostal space

Question 7

Venous drainage of chest wall

Answer 7

ant. intercostal vein -> internal thoracic vein -> L + R braciocephalic vein

posterior intercostal vein -> azygous (RHS), hemiazy (LHS) -> SVC

hemi cross to azy (T7-8)

Question 8

Azygous vein

Answer 8

Lies next to descending thoracic aorta, found on RHS of posterior mediastinum.

Hemiazygous (LHS) crosses into azygous at T8/9