Aortic Arch: Anatomy, Branches, Function & Definition | Kenhub

The aortic arch, or arch of aorta is a continuation of the ascending aorta. It presents three branches which are the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. Have a closer look here in our atlas: https://www.kenhub.com/en/atlas/aorti...

Oh, are you struggling with learning anatomy? We created the ★ Ultimate Anatomy Study Guide ★ to help you kick some gluteus maximus in any topic. Completely free. Download yours today:
https://khub.me/o54q6

The aortic arch is a direct continuation of the ascending aorta. It reaches upwards, as high as the manubrium of the sternum, before coursing posteriorly, over the right pulmonary artery. At the same time, it extends towards the left side of the sternum.
The arch then turns inferiorly to descend as far as thoracic vertebral level 4/5 (T4/5) and is now located to the left of the sternum. The arch is initially anterior to the trachea, but ends to the left of the trachea and the vertebral column.

The three branches of the aortic arch include the:
brachiocephalic trunk/artery: This artery itself gives off two branches, the right subclavian and the right common carotid arteries.
Left common carotid artery: Unlike the right common carotid artery, the left branches directly from the arch of aorta. Like the right side, the left common carotid runs superiorly up the left side of the neck and supplies the head and neck on the left side.
Left subclavian artery: This is the third branch off of the arch of the aorta. Parallel to the right side, the left subclavian initially passes laterally above the clavicle and then descends into the left arm by passing below the clavicle to supply oxygenated blood to the left arm.

0:33 Course & anatomy
1:00 Branches of the aortic arch

Want to test your knowledge on the aortic arch, and neighboring structures ? Take this quiz:
https://khub.me/71tco

Read more about the anatomy of the aorta in this interesting article right here:
https://khub.me/3oegc

For more engaging video tutorials, interactive quizzes, articles and an atlas of Human anatomy and histology, go to https://khub.me/t9hkg