The spelling of the phrase "Aortic Arch" is derived from the Greek word "Arkos" and the Latin "Arcus," which means arch. The first two letters "Ao" are pronounced as "eɪoʊ," and the "ortic" part of the word is pronounced as "ɔːrtɪk." The term "Arch" is pronounced as "ɑːrk." In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of Aortic Arch would be recorded as /eɪoʊrtɪk ɑːrk/. In medical science, the term refers to the main curve of the aorta, the largest artery in the human body.
The aortic arch is a vital anatomical structure found in the circulatory system of vertebrates, including humans. It refers to the curving portion of the main blood vessel, known as the aorta, that bends and arches over the heart. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to various parts of the body. The aortic arch specifically emerges from the left ventricle of the heart and ascends, forming a curve that extends toward the posterior region and then descends towards the midline.
The aortic arch serves a crucial role in distributing the oxygenated blood to different areas of the body by giving rise to various major arteries. It branches into three main arteries, namely the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. These arteries ensure the blood supply to the head, neck, upper limbs, and other vital organs.
Various abnormalities or conditions can affect the aortic arch, such as aortic arch syndrome, aortic arch aneurysm, or coarctation of the aorta. These conditions may lead to health complications and often require medical intervention. Studying the aortic arch is crucial for understanding the complex nature of the circulatory system and diagnosing and treating related disorders.
The wide curve made by the aorta in the first part of its course, arcus aortoe.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "aortic" is derived from the Latin word "aortae" which means "the main artery". It further originates from the Greek word "aortē" which means "to lift up" or "to ascend".
The word "arch" comes from the Old French word "arche" or "arc" which means "bow" or "arched structure". It can be traced back to the Latin word "arcus" with the same meaning.
Therefore, the term "aortic arch" refers to the arched structure of the main artery in the human body, reflecting its shape and function.