aortic arch

noun

Definition of aortic arch

1 : one of the arterial branches in vertebrate embryos that exist in a series of pairs with one on each side of the embryo, connect the ventral arterial system lying anterior to the heart to the dorsal arterial system above the digestive tract, and persist in adult fishes but are reduced or much modified in the adult of higher forms

2 : arch of the aorta

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In 2012, a 76-year-old Connecticut doctor had surgery to repair a life-threatening bulge in his aortic arch—the hulking bend that hooks the massive artery around the heart, routing oxygenated blood both upward and downward. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Virus fished from pond cures man’s deadly antibiotic-resistant infection," 20 Mar. 2018 The study is based off the case of a 76-year-old man who underwent surgery for his aortic arch, a part of the main artery around the heart. — Josh Magness, miamiherald, "Virus found in a pond offers hope for when antibiotics aren’t working, study finds | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018

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

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The first known use of aortic arch was in 1802

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aortic arch

noun

Medical Definition of aortic arch

1 : one of the arterial branches in vertebrate embryos that exist in a series of pairs with one on each side of the embryo, that connect the ventral arterial system lying anterior to the heart to the dorsal arterial system above the digestive tract, and that persist in adult fishes but are reduced or much modified in the adult of higher forms

2 : arch of the aorta