Anatomy:

The aorta is the main artery distributing blood from the heart to the rest of the body.  It arises from the heart coursing upward and at the base of the neck curves downward staying to the left of the vertebral column.  About the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra it splits to supply blood to both legs.  When the aorta becomes diseased, it may lead to compromise in other organs systems in the body.

Examples include: Aortic Root/Valve disorders, aortic dissection, thoracic aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic occlusion, connective tissue disorders such as Marfan’s syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos.