Aorta

(a-ort’-ah) [aoprr), aorta]. The large ve el arising from the left ventricle and distributing byits branches arterial blood to every part of the body. It ends by bifurcating into the two common iliacs at the fourth lumbar vertebra. The arch, that extending from the heart to the third dorsal vertebra, is divided into an ascending, a transverse, and a descending part. The thoracic portion extends to the diaphragm; the addominat to the bifurcation. 70