thoracic aorta [Gk, thorax, chest, aerein, to raise] , the large upper part of the ascending arch and descending aorta, supplying many parts of the body, such as the heart, ribs, chest muscles, and stomach. Its branches include the coronary brachiocephalic, left common carotid artery, left subclavian, pericardial, bronchial, esophageal, mediastinal, posterior intercostal, subcostal, and superior phrenic. Compare abdominal aorta. See also descending aorta.
