The aorta stems from the heart, arches upward, and then extends down
behind the heart and through the chest (thorax) and the abdomen areas. The aorta then branches out and becomes
the iliac arteries, which provide blood to the pelvis and legs.
Last Updated: March 7, 2008
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery