aortic arch
noun
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
Examples of aortic arch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack had a double aortic arch, a condition where an extra branch stemming from the heart constricts the airway like a vise.
—
Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2022
That in turn loops under the aortic arch, part of the large artery carrying blood from the heart, and then travels back up the neck to the vocal cords.
—Jeffrey M. Rodgers, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2022
But because Caleb had a rare defect known as an interrupted aortic arch, oxygenated blood flow to his body was being choked off as the duct began to seal itself.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2020
The team suspects that the animal’s stretchy aortic arch, part of the main artery entering the heart, continues to slowly contract between heartbeats, maintaining blood flow to the animal’s body.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 Nov. 2019
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, 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, 21 Mar. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2022
That in turn loops under the aortic arch, part of the large artery carrying blood from the heart, and then travels back up the neck to the vocal cords.
—Jeffrey M. Rodgers, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2022
But because Caleb had a rare defect known as an interrupted aortic arch, oxygenated blood flow to his body was being choked off as the duct began to seal itself.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2020
The team suspects that the animal’s stretchy aortic arch, part of the main artery entering the heart, continues to slowly contract between heartbeats, maintaining blood flow to the animal’s body.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 Nov. 2019
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, 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, 21 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Aortic arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aortic%20arch. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share