Thoracic aorta

Thoracic aorta
Schematic view of the aorta, showing major branches and segments with thoracic aorta shown as continuation of descending aorta
The thoracic aorta, viewed from the left side.
Details
Source	Descending aorta
Branches	Bronchial arteries, esophageal arteries, posterior intercostal arteries, abdominal aorta, superior phrenic artery, pericardial arteries
Identifiers
Latin	aorta thoracalis
MeSH	D001013
TA98	A12.2.11.001
TA2	4186
FMA	3786
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The thoracic aorta is a part of the aorta located in the thorax. It is a continuation of the aortic arch. It is located within the posterior mediastinal cavity, but frequently bulges into the left pleural cavity. The descending thoracic aorta begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta.

At its commencement, it is situated on the left of the vertebral column; it approaches the median line as it descends; and, at its termination, lies directly in front of the column.

The thoracic aorta has a curved shape that faces forward, and has small branches. It has a radius of approximately 1.16 cm.^[1]