Thoracic aortic aneurysm

A normal aorta and a thoracic aortic aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a stretched and bulging area in the wall of the aorta. The aorta is the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A thoracic aortic aneurysm happens in the section of the aorta that is in the chest.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are also known as ascending or descending aortic aneurysms.

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerJeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD - Vascular Surgery

Current as ofMarch 20, 2017

Current as of: March 20, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Jeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD - Vascular Surgery