aorta
(eɪˈɔːtə)
[a. med. or mod.L. aorta, a. Gr. ἀορτή, applied by Hippocrates in pl. to the bronchi, bronchia, or branches of the windpipe, but subseq. by Aristotle to the great artery, as in modern use; lit. that which is hung (cf. ἀορτήρ a hanger, a strap), f. ἀείρ-ειν to raise, lift up.]
The great artery or trunk of the arterial system, from its origin in the left ventricle of the heart to its division into the two iliac arteries. Also fig.
| 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. 357 The great artery, called Aorta by the Physicions. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. i. iii, Aorta is the root of all the other [arteries], which serve the whole body. 1859 Carpenter Anim. Phys. v. (1872) 226 From the arch of the aorta are given off the arteries which supply the head and upper extremities. 1882 Society 7 Oct. 8/2 London's great aorta, the Strand. |