The Aorta - the largest artery in the body!

The aorta is the largest artery of the body. It is connected to the heart and pumps blood away from it. A good way to remember the difference between the arteries and veins is to note that the words aorta and artery both start with the letter ‘a’ and are linked with sending blood away from the heart.

The Vena Cava on the other hand, along with the veins, starts with the letter ‘v’ and sends blood towards the heart, - the Vena Cava being the largest vein of the body, and also situated attached to the heart.

The aorta originates from the heart, and brings oxygenated blood to all parts of the body via the arteries, this is why arteries are red - the blood within them contains oxygen. The deoxygenated blood carried in the veins is blue and travels back towards the heart.

The aorta is an elastic artery, and expands when blood is forced through it from the heart. This stretching gives the potential energy that will help maintain blood pressure during its later contraction.