Veins are black, arteries white.
]
It is convenient to divide the aorta into thoracic and abdominal parts.
The =thoracic aorta= (Aorta thoracica) lies within the pericardium to
the point of attachment of the ligamentum arteriosum, and is inclosed
with the pulmonary artery in a prolongation of the epicardium. Beyond
this it is between the two pleural sacs. It is crossed on the right by
the œsophagus and trachea, on the left by the left vagus nerve. The left
recurrent nerve winds around the concavity of the arch from left to
right, and the vena azygos and thoracic duct lie along the dorsal part
of its right face. The trachea causes it to deviate to the left; but
beyond this it becomes median. The =abdominal aorta= (Aorta abdominalis)
(Fig. 450) is related above to the lumbar vertebræ, the inferior common
ligament, and the left psoas minor muscle; in the hiatus aorticus it is
related to the cisterna chyli. On its right is the posterior vena cava,
and on its left the left kidney and ureter.