Arch of Aorta

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The arch of the aorta is the second major anatomical region of the aorta; it curves above the heart between the ascending and descending aorta. All of the blood delivered from the heart to the systemic tissues of the body passes through the aorta, making it the largest artery in the human body. As the aorta extends from the heart, it begins as the ascending aorta before turning 180 degrees towards the body's left side in the aortic arch. From the arch the aorta passes posterior to the heart and descends through the thorax and abdomen as the descending aorta.

Three major arteries branch off from the superior arterial wall of the aortic arch to supply blood to the tissues of the superior regions of the body: the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk is the first artery to arise from the aortic arch, carrying blood to the right arm and the right side of the head and neck. Next to branch from the aorta is the left common carotid artery that supplies blood to the left side of the head and neck. Finally, the left subclavian artery arises from the aortic arch and supplies blood to the left arm.