FUNCTIONAL AND CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE HEART. AGE-RELATED CHANGES, DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALIES. AORTA

Аннотация:

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. Its origin is the aortic orifice of the aortic valve and ends at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The main function of the aorta is to transport oxygenated blood to supply all organs and cells. With age, structure and therefore function undergo progressive changes. Various changes in aortic morphology include aortic lumen diameter, entire aortic length, thickness, and changes in microstructural components including collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle cells. In addition, the size of all aortic segments increases with age in both sexes. Because age is a major risk factor for degenerative changes and diseases affecting the aorta, understanding the detailed anatomy of the aorta can provide important information about age-related processes in the aorta. Knowledge of the morphological changes in the aorta is also important for future clinical treatments of aortic diseases. Additionally, information about structural changes with age can be used to determine age. This review provides an overview of aortic anatomy, age-related changes in aortic morphology, and aortic diseases.