Embryology and Anatomy of the Aorta

Abstract

Development of the aorta occurs during the third week of gestation. At this time, isolated vascular islands coalesce into plexuses to form the (initially) paired aortae, each consisting of a ventral and dorsal segment. A six-paired system of aortic arches sequentially develops in cranio-caudal fashion between the ventral and dorsal aortae providing blood flow from the cardiac ventricles to the embryonic circulatory system. In addition, the dorsal aorta gives off several intersegmental arteries (Fig. 2.2). The sequence of developmental events in the formation of the aorta can lead to a variety of anatomic variants, congenital anomalies, and pathologic abnormalities. Anatomically, the fully developed aorta runs from the aortic valve to the aortic bifurcation, the point at which the abdominal aorta divides into the left and right common iliac arteries. The aorta transports blood from the heart to the entire body via the vascular system.