descending aorta

The descending aorta is the portion of the aorta that carries oxygenated blood from the heart down through the body. It begins after the aortic arch, which curves over the heart, and passes through the chest and into the abdominal cavity.1

In the chest, the descending aorta (thoracic aorta) supplies blood to structures like the lungs, esophagus, and diaphragm. Once it passes through the diaphragm into the abdomen, it becomes the abdominal aorta. Here, it branches extensively to provide blood to vital organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and kidneys. The abdominal aorta terminates by dividing into the common iliac arteries, which then supply blood to the legs. Diseases affecting the aorta, like atherosclerosis, can lead to serious conditions such as aneurysms or impaired blood flow to organs.12