Aortic arch
Aortic arch: The second section of the aorta following the ascending aorta. As it continues from the heart, it gives off the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left common carotid and subclavian arteries. The brachiocephalic trunk splits to form the right subclavian and the right common carotid arteries, which supply blood to the right arm and the right side of the neck and head. The left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery, the second and third branches off the aortic arch, perform parallel functions on the left side.
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- Aortic arch syndrome
Aortic arch syndrome: 1. Any disorder that causes occlusion of the arteries that arise from the aortic arch. 2. Synonym for Takayasu disease. 3. The subclavian steal syndrome.
- Aortic atresia
Aortic atresia: Congenital absence of the normal valvular opening from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta. Atresia here refers to the absence of a normal opening.
- Aortic dissection
A progressive tear in the aorta. The inner lining (intima) of the aorta tears and blood surges through the tear, creating a new false channel and separating (dissecting) the middle layer (media) from the outer layer of the aorta. Aortic dissection usually occurs in the thoracic aorta, less often the abdominal aorta. About three-fourths of […]
- Aortic insufficiency
Aortic insufficiency: Backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle across a weakened aortic valve. Also known as aortic regurgitation.
- Aortic regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation: The return of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle of the heart due to aortic valve insufficiency, incomplete closure of the aortic valve.