aorta

noun aor·ta \ ā-ˈȯr-tə \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of aorta

plural aortas or aortae play \-tē\

: the great arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body — see heart illustration

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aortic

play \-ˈȯr-tik\ adjective

See aorta defined for English-language learners

See aorta defined for kids

Recent Examples of aorta from the Web

Thicke died of a ruptured aorta three months later.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Hollywood Medium' takes 'Life Lessons' to stage," 20 June 2018
In this condition, the large artery leaving the heart (aorta) develops a weak area that bulges and may burst.

— joe graedon, m.s., and teresa graedon, Houston Chronicle, "Natural approaches may ease white fingers of Raynaud’s," 17 June 2018
Using CT scans that are manipulated via special software, a team of engineers creates model fashioned from flexible materials that re-create the texture of the aorta and its surrounding structures.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Surgeons are using 3-D-printed organs to figure out the best way to operate," 11 June 2018
About one hour into the episode, an ultrasound scan of the heart also showed an aortic dissection, a potentially lethal condition in which blood is forced between the inner and outer layers of the aorta, Lundsgaard said.

— mark lieber, CNN, "Patient remains awake for 90 minutes of CPR, doctor says," 4 June 2018
The aorta is the human body's main artery, branching out into smaller ones to help deliver blood from the heart to the rest of your body.

— brett molina, USA TODAY, "Study: Exercising even just 2 days a week will help your heart," 21 May 2018
In 2016, Sandra Rivera of Jackson, Mo., had a series of small strokes during an operation to repair her aorta.

— New York Times, "As an Insurer Resists Paying for ‘Avoidable’ E.R. Visits, Patients and Doctors Push Back," 19 May 2018
Two bullets perforated his lungs, with one of those two bullets hitting his heart and aorta, and another bullet striking his spine.

— Fox News, "Independent autopsy of Stephon Clark was 'erroneous,' coroner says," 2 May 2018
With his chest open, the surgeons found that a bone fragment from his sternum had broken off and pierced his aorta.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Virus fished from pond cures man’s deadly antibiotic-resistant infection," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aorta.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aorta

New Latin, from Greek aortē, from aeirein to lift

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1543

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

AORTA Defined for English Language Learners

aorta

noun

Definition of aorta for English Language Learners

: the large artery that brings blood from the heart to the rest of the body

AORTA Defined for Kids

aorta

noun aor·ta \ ā-ˈȯr-tə \

Definition of aorta for Students

: the main artery that carries blood from the heart for distribution to all parts of the body

Medical Dictionary

aorta

noun aor·ta \ ā-ˈȯrt-ə \

medical Definition of aorta

plural aortas or aortae play \-ē\

: the large arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body

Illustration of aorta

Learn More about aorta

Spanish Central: Translation of aorta Nglish: Translation of aorta for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of aorta for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aorta

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aorta

Definition of aorta

aortic

Recent Examples of aorta from the Web

Origin and Etymology of aorta

Other Anatomy Terms

AORTA Defined for English Language Learners

aorta

Definition of aorta for English Language Learners

AORTA Defined for Kids

aorta

Definition of aorta for Students

Medical Dictionary

aorta

medical Definition of aorta

Illustration of aorta

Learn More about aorta

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