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Epidemiology of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms, Aortic Dissection, Intramural Hematoma, and Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers

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Aortic Dissection and Related Syndromes

Part of the book series: Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine ((DICM,volume 260))

Abstract

Anatomically the thoracic aorta is divided into a several distinct segments (Figure 1.1). The ascending aorta extends from the left ventricle (at the aortic annulus) and rises in the anterior mediastinum to the innominate artery. The base of the ascending aorta is referred to as the aortic root. The root is the widest aortic segment and is comprised of three coronary sinuses, which bulge outward, and serves as the support structure for the aortic valve cusps. The portion of the ascending aorta above the root is narrower and tubular in shape. Distal to the ascending aorta is the aortic arch, which moves posteriorly and to the left in the superior mediastinum, extending from the innominate artery to the ostium of the left subclavian artery. Thereafter, the descending aorta courses posteriorly, adjacent to the vertebral column, and continues to the level of the diaphragm, after which it becomes the abdominal aorta.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Division, Thoracic Aortic Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Center, Suite 5800, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Eric M. Isselbacher

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  1. Eric M. Isselbacher
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Kim A. Eagle MD (Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief of Clinical Cardiology, Clinical Director of Cardiovascular Center) (Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief of Clinical Cardiology, Clinical Director of Cardiovascular Center)

  2. Ohio State University Hospital East, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Ragavendra R. Baliga MD, MBA (Director, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine) (Director, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine)

  3. Thoracic Aortic Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Eric M. Isselbacher MD (Co-Director) (Co-Director)

  4. Division of Cardiology, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany

    Christoph A. Nienaber MD (Head) (Head)

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Isselbacher, E.M. (2007). Epidemiology of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms, Aortic Dissection, Intramural Hematoma, and Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers. In: Eagle, K.A., Baliga, R.R., Isselbacher, E.M., Nienaber, C.A. (eds) Aortic Dissection and Related Syndromes. Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol 260. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36001-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36001-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-36000-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-36001-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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