The largest artery in the human body, arising from the left ventricle of the heart and carrying oxygenated blood to all parts of the body except the lungs. It curves upward, then downward, forming the aortic arch before descending through the chest and abdomen.
From Greek 'aorte' meaning 'that which is hung up,' possibly referring to its suspended appearance in the chest cavity. Aristotle first used this term to distinguish it from other blood vessels he observed in dissections.
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