Free Term Paper on Relations of the Ascending Aorta

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The ascending aorta, or aorta ascendens, along with its constituents, amounts to about five centimeters in length. It constitutes the initial division of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It originates from the upper portion of the left ventricle of the heart at the aortic valve “on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum; it passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart’s axis, as high as the upper border of the second right costal cartilage, describing a slight curve in its course, and being situated, about 6 cm. behind the posterior surface of the sternum.” (Gray” 1) It then gives rise to the right and left coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle. It then curves left continuing into the arch of the aorta. Originating from the aorta are the right brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries. The coronary arteries, thus being, the only branches of the ascending aorta.


At the entrance of the ascending aorta are three minute aortic sinuses and the Aortic Semilunar Valve, a three-cusped valve located at the base of the ascending aorta behind the sternum at the level of the third intercostal space (Grine 273). The point at which the ascending aorta converges with the aortic arch is termed the bulb of the aorta, a swelling due to vessel increasement on the right wall. Lying superior to the ascending aorta is the trunk of the pulmonary artery and the auricular appendage of the right atrium. It is partitioned from the sternum by the serous pericardium, the right pleura, the anterior margin of the right lung, some loose areolar tissue, and the remains of the thymus. Posteriorly, it is propped upon the left atrium and right pulmonary artery. Lying adjacent on the right border is the superior vena cava and right atrium. Lying opposite on the left border is the pulmonary artery and pulmonary trunk (Gray” 1). The ascending aorta is, thus, “ a hallowed and convenient division of the aorta” (“MedicineNet” 1) that supplies blood to most of the body.


Works Cited

Gray, Henry, http://www.bartleby.com. 21 Apr 2002.

Grine, Fredrick E., Regional Human Anatomy: A Laboratory Workbook for Use with
Models and Prosections. New York, McGraw-Hill Companies, 2002.

http://www.medicinenet.com. 21 Apr 2002.

 
 

The Signs Of Heart Attacks – Your Body's Alarm System - Free Term Paper, Article, or Essay
By Kenneth Snodin

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Heart attacks kill about 460,000 Americans every year. People usually die within one hour of when symptoms start, but before they get to the hospital. If more people recognized the signs of heart attacks and acted sooner, more people would survive them.

One reason that people don’t always recognize the warning signs of heart attacks is that they act differently. Even people who have had a heart attack before might not recognize another one because it could be completely different. The main thing to remember is that if you aren’t sure, have it checked out. It is better to have a false alarm than to not respond to the real thing. Quick response greatly increases your chances for surviving heart attacks.

Most heart attacks start out with some sort of discomfort to the chest. It may not be the searing pain that you might expect from a heart attack, but there will probably be something. Some people have described before a squeezing sensation, or simply a pain or fullness. The pain may last for a few minutes, or it may come and go away and come back again.

Many people also experience some sort of pain in the upper area of the body during heart attacks. It may show up in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. If you have pain or even a mild discomfort in any of these areas you should have it checked out, especially if there’s a history of heart disease in your family or if you’ve been diagnosed with heart problems. Many people try to wait this type of pain out, but it only gets worse. If you wait, you may be too late. Heart attacks aren’t something to wait around on. Make sure that you get help immediately.

There are many other symptoms of heart attacks that you can identify. Some people experience a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness. Most people also experience shortness of breath. There are many different symptoms that you can identify as warning signals of heart attacks. The most important thing is that you react quickly to these symptoms. Even if you don’t like doctors or hospitals, a short stay in one is better than leaving immediately.

On top of learning warning signs of heart attacks, you can take preventative measures to keep yourself safe. Exercise properly, eat right, and see your doctor for regular checkups. Remember that heart disease doesn’t mean your life will be cut short – undiagnosed and untreated heart disease will put you on the fast track for heart attacks.

 

 

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