Tags: Anatomical Structure, Artery.
The thoracic aorta is contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity.It begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta.At its commencement it is situated on the left of the vertebral column; it approaches the median line as it descends; and at its termination lies directly in front of the column.The vessel describes a curve which is concave forward; as the branches given off from it are small its diminution in size is insignificant.It has a radius of approximately 1.16 cm.
