noun
aorta
ay-OR-tuh/eɪˈɔːrtə/
The main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body.
The model shows the aorta curving upward from the heart.
Etymology
Greek aortē meant a strap for hanging something and was applied by Aristotle to the heart’s great artery. The anatomical term preserves that older image of something hung up.
In context
pass through the aortic valve into the aorta, where it becomes distributed throughout the body.
More examples
- Blood enters the aorta from the left ventricle.
- The scan follows the aorta through the chest.
- The surgeon points to a branch of the aorta.
Forms
aorta · aortas · aortae
Similar words
- artery
- Any vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
- vena cava
- Returns blood to the heart rather than carrying it outward.