Arteria ascendens

Arteria Ascendens is a term used in medical anatomy to refer to the ascending portion of certain arteries in the human body. The most notable of these is the aorta, the main and largest artery in the human body, which is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Anatomy

The Arteria Ascendens or ascending aorta begins at the upper part of the left ventricle of the heart. It extends to the aortic arch and is a part of the aorta that is located within the pericardial sac. The ascending aorta is approximately 5 cm in length and has a diameter of about 3 cm.

Function

The primary function of the Arteria Ascendens is to carry oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the aortic arch. From the aortic arch, the blood is then distributed to the rest of the body through the systemic circulation.

Clinical Significance

Diseases of the Arteria Ascendens can have serious implications. These include aortic aneurysm, a bulge in a section of the aorta that can potentially rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Another condition is aortic dissection, which is a tear in the wall of the aorta that can also lead to life-threatening complications.

See Also

• Aorta
• Aortic Aneurysm
• Aortic Dissection
• Left Ventricle