Thoracic Aorta

Question 1

Location of the Ascending Aorta?

Answer 1

Located intrapericardially & inferior to transverse thoracic plane => middle mediastinum

Question 2

Branches of the Ascending Aorta?

Answer 2

Branches: right & left coronary arteries

Question 3

Only arteries to “fill” during ventricular diastole?

Answer 3

right & left coronary arteries

Question 4

Aortic Arch

• __________ mediastinum
• Curved continuation of the ascending aorta
• Arches from:

–Behind ____________ joint/sternal angle -superoposteriorly to the left

–Ends behind 2nd left sternocostal joint (_____) –becomes___________

Answer 4

Aortic Arch

• Superior mediastinum
• Curved continuation of the ascending aorta
• Arches from:

–Behind 2nd right sternocostal joint/sternal angle -superoposteriorly to the left

–Ends behind 2nd left sternocostal joint (____) –becomes descending thoracic aorta

Question 5

Three Major Branches of the Aortic Arch

Answer 5

Three major branches:

1. Brachiocephalic trunk
2. Left common carotid artery
3. Left subclavian artery

Question 6

The _________ bifurcates beneath the Aortic Arch

Answer 6

The pulmonary trunk bifurcates beneath the Aortic Arch

Question 7

Aortic Arch Arches over __________

Answer 7

Aortic Arch Arches over left bronchus

Question 8

What does the brachiocephalic trunk bifurcate into?

Answer 8

Right subclavian artery (supplies right upper limb)

Right common carotid artery (supplies right head & neck)

Question 9

Right subclavian artery supplies ___________

Answer 9

Right subclavian artery supplies right upper limb

Question 10

Right common carotid artery supplies_________

Answer 10

Right common carotid artery supplies right head & neck

Question 11

Subclavian Arteries are divided into 3 parts by ___________and most branches arise from _______

Answer 11

Subclavian Arteries are divided into 3 parts by scalenus anterior muscles, and most branches arise from 1st part

Question 12

• 2nd part of the* Subclavian Arteries lies posterior to _____________
• 3rd part* becomes _____________ and continues into upper limb

Answer 12

• 2nd part* lies posterior to the scalenus anterior
• 3rdpart* becomes the axillary artery and continues into the upper limb

Question 13

What is this part?

Significance?

Answer 13

Ligamentum Arteriosum: From root of pulmonary trunk to aortic arch

Adult remnant of ductus arteriosus (important in embryonic circulation –allows blood to by-pass lungs)

Question 14

With gradual enlargement, an aortic aneurysm can lead to either _________ or __________

Answer 14

With gradual enlargement, the aneurysm can lead to either dissection or rupture

(‘Dissection’ is when the blood enters the wall of the aorta and splits it in two)

Question 15

Aortic Aneurisms are commonly associated with _____________

Answer 15

Aortic Aneurisms are commonly associated with Marfan’s Syndrom => Fibrin Assembly PRoetein Lacking

Question 16

Compression of the heart that occurs when fluid builds up in the pericardial space?

Answer 16

Cardiac tamponade

Question 17

Posterior Mediastinum

Located anterior to _______

Posterior to _________ & __________, between parietal pleurae of the lungs

Answer 17

Posterior Mediastinum

• Located anterior to T5 -T12
• Posterior to pericardium & diaphragm, between parietal pleurae of the lungs

Question 18

Thoracic Aorta

• Begins on left side at level _____ and descends to _________
• Stays left but moves toward the midline to lie in front of the vertebral column
• Displaces _____________ to right
• Surrounding it = ______________
• Enters abdomen through _______ to become __________

Answer 18

Thoracic Aorta

• Begins on left side at level T4 descends to T12
• Stays left but moves toward the midline to lie in front of the vertebral column
• Displaces oesophagus to right
• Surrounding it = thoracic aortic plexus
• Enters abdomen through aortic hiatus** to become **abdominal aorta

Question 19

T12 = _________ containins _____, ___________, ____________

Answer 19

T12 = Aortic hiatus containing (Aorta + thoracic duct + azygos veins)

Question 20

6 Branches of the Thoracic Aorta?

Answer 20

Thoracic Aorta: Branches

• bronchial–To airways: usually 1 right, 2 left
• oesophagus: Middle part of oesophagus
• mediastinum: To nodes / connective tissue
• pericardium
• To diaphragm: superior phrenic
• To body wall: posterior intercostals: 9 pairs to 3rd–11thintercostal spaces; subcostal

Question 21

Upper two posterior intercostal arteries. on each side branch from ____________ (itself a branch of costocervical trunk from ___________)

Answer 21

Upper two posterior intercostal arteries. on each side branch from supreme intercostal artery (itself a branch of costocervical trunk from subclavian artery)

Question 22

Answer 22

Question 23

Classical sign of Coarctation of the Aorta?

Answer 23

Coarctation of the Aorta (narrowing of a segment of aorta)

Classic sign: Arterial hypertension in right arm + normal pressure in lower extremities