What is the Difference Between Ascending and Descending Aorta?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The ascending and descending aorta are two sections of the aorta, the largest artery in the human body, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The main differences between the ascending and descending aorta are:
- Location: The ascending aorta is the upward part of the arch and the aortic section closest to the heart, originating from the upper terminal of the left ventricle. The descending aorta is the downward part of the arch, extending from the chest down into the abdomen.
- Branches: The ascending aorta branches off to two coronary arteries, while the descending aorta branches off to various arteries, such as mediastinal arteries, oesophageal arteries, pericardial arteries, superior phrenic arteries, intercostal and subcostal arteries.
- Function: The ascending aorta pumps blood through the aortic arch and into the descending aorta, providing blood to the heart itself. The descending aorta supplies blood to the ribs and some chest structures.
In summary, the ascending aorta is the upward section of the aorta that provides blood to the heart, while the descending aorta is the downward section that supplies blood to various parts of the body, including the chest and abdomen.
Comparative Table: Ascending vs Descending Aorta
The ascending and descending aorta are two of the four sections of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the human body, carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to all other parts of the body except the lungs. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the ascending and descending aorta:
| Feature | Ascending Aorta | Descending Aorta |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Begins at the upper terminal of the left ventricle, ascending towards the aortic arch | Begins just distal to the isthmus, extending to the diaphragm |
| Course | Forms the first part of the aorta, continuing as the aortic arch | Forms the third section of the aorta, spreading across T4 to T12, becoming the abdominal aorta |
| Blood Flow | Carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the aortic arch | Carries oxygenated blood from the aortic arch to the rest of the body |
| Size | Smaller in diameter compared to the descending aorta | Larger in diameter compared to the ascending aorta |
| Branches | Gives rise to two coronary arteries | Gives rise to several arteries, including bronchial arteries, mediastinal arteries, oesophageal arteries, pericardial arteries, superior phrenic arteries, intercostal and subcostal arteries |
| Development | Develops from the truncus arteriosus after its partition by the spiral septum | Most of it is created through the combination of the primitive dorsal aortae |
The ascending aorta originates from the upper terminal of the left ventricle and forms the first part of the aorta, continuing as the aortic arch. In contrast, the descending aorta begins just distal to the isthmus, extending to the diaphragm, and forms the third section of the aorta, spreading across T4 to T12, becoming the abdominal aorta. The ascending aorta has a smaller diameter compared to the descending aorta and gives rise to two coronary arteries, while the descending aorta gives rise to several arteries, including bronchial arteries, mediastinal arteries, oesophageal arteries, pericardial arteries, superior phrenic arteries, intercostal and subcostal arteries.
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- Aortic Sclerosis vs Aortic Stenosis
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- Arteriosclerosis vs Atherosclerosis
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- Pulmonary Artery vs Pulmonary Vein