a·or·ta / āˈôrtə/ • n. the main artery of the body, supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory system. In humans it passes over the heart from the left ventricle and runs down in front of the backbone.DERIVATIVES: a·or·tic / -tik/ adj.

aorta The major blood vessel in higher vertebrates through which oxygenated blood leaves the heart from the left ventricle. The aorta branches to form many smaller arteries, which in turn branch many times to supply oxygen and essential nutrients to all living cells in the body. See also dorsal aorta; ventral aorta.

aorta Principal artery in the body. Carrying freshly oxygenated blood, the aorta leaves the left ventricle of the heart and descends the length of the trunk, finally dividing to form the two main arteries that serve the legs. See also circulatory system; heart

aorta (ay-or-tă) n. (pl. aortae or aortas) the main artery of the body, from which all others derive. abdominal a. the part of the descending aorta below the diaphragm. arch of the a. the part of the aorta that arches over the heart. ascending a. the part of the aorta that arises from the left ventricle. descending a. the part of the aorta that descends in front of the backbone. thoracic a. the part of the descending aorta from the arch of the aorta to the diaphragm.
—aortic (ay-or-tik) adj.

aorta XVI. — modL. — Gr. aortḗ, f. aeírein raise; cf. ARTERY.