Thoracic aortic dissection occurs when the intima of the aorta becomes compromised and “tears” or “dissects” a new layer that fills with blood between the intima and the media. This “false lumen” can ...

The aorta is a tube-like structure that resembles a candy cane. The thoracoabdominal aorta starts after the curve of the cane and extends past the arteries that deliver blood to the stomach, ...

The aortic arch is the portion of the main artery that bends between the ascending and descending aorta. It leaves the heart and ascends, then descends back to create the arch. The aorta distributes ...

An aortic dissection is a tear in one of the layers of the aorta. The aorta is your body’s largest blood vessel. Your aorta is made up of three layers. When a hole or tear forms in one of these layers ...

The aorta originates from the left ventricle of the heart. It ends in the abdomen where it branches into the two common iliac arteries. The aorta has five separate segments. The descending aorta ...

An abnormally enlarged aorta (aortic aneurysm) can tear or rupture and cause sudden cardiac death. Unfortunately, patients often show no signs or symptoms before the aorta, which carries blood from ...

What Is an Aortic Dissection? An aortic dissection is an emergency with your aorta, which is the largest blood vessel in your body and the main artery that takes blood from your heart to the rest of ...