Anatomy of the thoracic aorta and of its branches.

For a surgeon performing chest operation, thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the thoracic aorta and of its branches are essential not only to ensure the preservation of adequate organ vascular supply during reconstructive surgery of the esophagus or trachea but also to avoid injury to important thoracic vascular structures. This knowledge is of paramount importance especially for surgeons performing operations for mediastinal disorders or tumors to avoid catastrophic complications. This article discusses the anatomy and the most common congenital abnormalities of the thoracic aorta and its branches.