From the Guidelines
The distal aortic arch is located in the upper chest, specifically transitioning into the descending aorta after the origin of the left subclavian artery and before the ligamentum arteriosum. This definition is based on the most recent and highest quality guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic aortic disease, as outlined in the 2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM guidelines 1. The aortic arch, which includes the distal portion, begins at the origin of the brachiocephalic artery and is the origin of the head and neck arteries, coursing in front of the trachea and to the left of the esophagus and the trachea. Key features of the distal aortic arch include:
- Its position relative to the left subclavian artery, marking the end of the aortic arch
- Its transition into the descending aorta, which begins at the isthmus between the origin of the left subclavian artery and the ligamentum arteriosum
- Its anatomical relationship with surrounding structures, such as the trachea, esophagus, and left main bronchus, which is crucial for understanding potential complications of aortic disease in this region. Understanding the precise location and anatomy of the distal aortic arch is essential for clinicians, particularly cardiovascular surgeons, when diagnosing and managing thoracic aortic disease, as described in the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Location of the Distal Aortic Arch
The distal aortic arch is located in the thoracic region, but the exact location is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Key Points to Consider
- The aortic arch is a part of the thoracic aorta, which is the section of the aorta that passes through the thorax 4, 5.
- The studies provided focus on the diagnosis and imaging of aortic diseases, including aneurysms and dissections, using various techniques such as CT, MRI, and echocardiography 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- While the studies do not specifically mention the location of the distal aortic arch, they do discuss the importance of imaging the thoracic aorta and its branches in the diagnosis of aortic diseases 4, 5.