Aorta
![](/Images/godic/202412/21/Aorta_scheme_noTags.svg5352.png")
![Course of the aorta in the thorax (anterior view), starting posterior to the main pulmonary artery, then anterior to the right pulmonary arteries, the trachea and the esophagus, then turning posteriorly to course dorsally to these structures.](/Images/godic/202412/21/Relations_of_the_aorta,_trachea,_esophagus_and_other_heart_structures5352.png")
![A pig's aorta cut open, also showing some branching arteries.](/Images/godic/202412/21/An_opened_aorta5352.jpg")
![Major Aorta anatomy displaying Ascending Aorta, Brachiocephalic trunk, Left Common Carotid Artery, Left Subclavian Artery, Aortic Isthmus, Aortic Arch and Descending Thoracic Aorta](/Images/godic/202412/21/Aorta_Anatomy5352.jpg")
The aorta (/eɪˈɔːrtə/) is the main artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body through the systemic circulation.