Arch of The Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It extends upward from the left ventricle of the heart, arches over the heart to the left, and descends just in front of the spinal column. The first portion of the aorta is the "ascending aorta," which branches into the "arch of the aorta." Three major arteries originate from the aortic arch: the "brachiocephalic artery," which supplies blood to the brain and head; the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery.