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Where the Aorta Travels

The aorta is the primary pipeline for blood leaving the heart, carrying blood to smaller arteries throughout the body. The aorta connects to the heart's left ventricle at the aortic valve; the section that travels upward is aptly named the ascending aorta. Next, the aortic arch curves over the heart; other arteries branch off the aortic arch to take blood to other areas of the body. Finally, the descending aorta travels down the body along the spine.