[Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta with stratification of the esophageal and gastric wall].

An observation of a delayed posttraumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta attended by acute stratification of the esophageal and gastric wall by blood is described. The patient who had been strongly hit into the thorax in a car accident died of acute massive blood loss 10 days after the trauma. Breaks in the aortal intima occurring at the moment of the trauma may be conducive to the aortal rupture.