Anatomy of the thoracic aorta: magnetic resonance imaging and interpretation of flow phenomena.

The authors present the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the investigation of the anatomy of the thoracic aorta in a group of eight volunteers and in one patient with presumptive Takayasu's disease but with normal aorta. Transaxial, coronal, sagittal and oblique slices were made and the morphologic results are presented. Major flow phenomena are also discussed and some examples given.