Kelley Jonathan D., Ashurst John V.
Midwestern University
Kingman Regional Medical Center
The aortic arch is the section of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. As it arises from the ascending aorta, the arch runs slightly backward and to the left of the trachea. The distal segment of the aortic arch then traverses downwards at the fourth thoracic vertebra. From this point on, it continues as the descending aorta. The aortic arch has 3 major branches. The brachiocephalic trunk is the first branch of the aortic arch and supplies blood to the right arm, right head, and neck. The left common carotid artery is the second branch of the aortic arch, which supplies blood to the left side of the head of the neck. The last branch of the aortic arch is the left subclavian artery that distributes blood to the left arm.
主动脉弓是升主动脉和降主动脉之间的主动脉部分。它起自升主动脉，弓部略向后走行并位于气管左侧。主动脉弓的远端部分在第四胸椎水平向下走行，从这一点开始，它延续为降主动脉。主动脉弓有三大分支。头臂干是主动脉弓的第一分支，为右臂、右侧头部和颈部供血。左颈总动脉是主动脉弓的第二分支，为左侧头部和颈部供血。主动脉弓的最后一个分支是左锁骨下动脉，为左臂供血。
