Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Jun;52(2):109-114. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.2.109.

Morphology of the human aorta and age-related changes: anatomical facts

• Komutrattananont P
• Mahakkanukrauh P
• Das S

• KMID: 2451212
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2019.52.2.109

Abstract

Aorta is the largest artery in the human body. Its starting point is the aortic orifice of the aortic valve and it terminates at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The main function of the aorta is to transport oxygenated blood to supply all the organs and cells. With advancing age, the structure and hence the function show progressive changes. Various changes in the aortic morphology include the luminal diameter of aorta, whole length of the aorta, thickness, the microstructural components also change, and these include collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells. In addition, the dimensions of all segments of the aorta increase with age in both sexes. Since age is a major risk factor for degenerative change and diseases affecting the aorta, understanding the detailed anatomy of the aorta may provide essential information concerning the age-associated process of the aorta. Knowledge of the morphological changes in the aorta is also important for future clinical therapies pertaining to aortic disease. Additionally, the information regarding the structural changes with age may be applied for age determination. This review describes the overview of the anatomy of the aorta, age related changes in the morphology of the aorta and aortic diseases.

Keyword

Aorta; Thoracic aorta; Abdominal aorta; Age change

MeSH Terms

Aorta*
Aorta, Abdominal
Aorta, Thoracic
Aortic Diseases
Aortic Valve
Arteries
Collagen
Elastin
Human Body
Humans*
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Oxygen
Phenobarbital
Risk Factors
Spine
Collagen
Elastin
Oxygen
Phenobarbital