the section of the aorta that takes the blood downwards from the aortic arch to the legs. Branches throughout its length take blood to the organs, spine, etc. Back to the top

a part of the aorta, further divided into the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta.

Portion of the aorta that begins after the aorta arches. The descending aorta travels down along the spinal cord. The section of the descending aorta from the aortic arch to the diaphragm is the also called the thoracic aorta. The section of the descending aorta below the diaphragm is also called the abdominal aorta.

The descending aorta is divided into two portions, the thoracic and abdominal, in correspondence with the two great cavities of the trunk in which it is situated.