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Descending aorta

Dr Yuranga Weerakkody and Dr Omar Bashir et al.

The descending aorta is the continuation of the aortic arch in the posterior mediastinum. It commences at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra body. It continues as the abdominal aorta at the diaphragmatic hiatus for aorta at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra¹.

Branches¹

pericardial branches
bronchial arteries
mediastinal arteries
phrenic branches
posterior intercostal arteries
subcostal arteries

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References

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1. Standring S, Gray H. Gray's Anatomy, The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Churchill Livingstone. (2008) ISBN:0443066841. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon