descending aorta

Last reviewed 01/2018

The descending aorta is that section of the vessel intermediate to both the aortic arch superiorly and the abdominal aorta inferiorly. It courses inferiorly in the posterior mediastinum close to the vertebral bodies.

The descending aorta supplies branches to the:

• posterior intercostal spaces
• thoracic cage inferior to the costal margin
• tracheobronchial tree
• oesophagus