Aortic arch
Arcus aortae
Definition
The aortic arch is the portion of the aorta that follows the ascending aorta and precedes the descending aorta, forming a dorsocaudal half-turn toward the left at the base of the heart. It gives rise to the major arterial trunks (the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery), which supply the head, neck, and thoracic limbs.
References
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s anatomy of the dog, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2012.
König HE, Lieibich HG. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic mammals, 6th edition, Schattauer, Stuttgart, 2014.
