What is the main artery in the body?
General information only. This article explains the basics and is not medical advice. For anything about your own health, talk to a doctor or other qualified professional.
Quick answer
The aorta is the main and largest artery in the human body. It carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, starting at the left ventricle, and branches into smaller arteries that supply the whole body. In adults it’s about 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide, roughly the width of a garden hose.
The path of the aorta
| Section | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Ascending aorta | Rises from the heart; gives off the coronary arteries that feed the heart muscle itself |
| Aortic arch | Curves over the heart like a candy cane; branches supply the head, neck and arms |
| Descending (thoracic) aorta | Runs down through the chest |
| Abdominal aorta | Continues into the belly, then splits into two arteries for the legs |
From start to end, the aorta is about 30–40 cm long.
Arteries vs veins
| Arteries | Veins | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Away from the heart | Toward the heart |
| Blood | Mostly oxygen-rich (except the pulmonary artery) | Mostly oxygen-poor (except the pulmonary veins) |
| Walls | Thick and muscular | Thinner |
| Pressure | High | Low; veins have valves to stop backflow |
A simple way to remember: Arteries go Away.
Why the aorta is so strong
Each heartbeat pushes blood into the aorta under high pressure. Its walls are elastic, stretching with each beat and springing back to keep blood flowing smoothly between beats. That stretch is what you feel as your pulse.
Keeping arteries healthy
Over time, high blood pressure and fatty buildup can stiffen or narrow arteries. Health services recommend general habits like not smoking, staying active and getting blood pressure checked. Read more in what hypertension is and how to lower cholesterol.
The aorta starts at the heart’s left ventricle; see how many chambers the human heart has.
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