Editing Aorta (section)

====Aortic arch====
{{main|Aortic arch}}
The [[aortic arch]] loops over the left [[pulmonary artery]] and the bifurcation of the [[pulmonary trunk]], to which it remains connected by the [[ligamentum arteriosum]], a remnant of the [[fetal circulation]] that is obliterated a few days after birth. In addition to these blood vessels, the aortic arch crosses the [[left main bronchus]]. Between the aortic arch and the pulmonary trunk is a network of autonomic nerve fibers, the [[cardiac plexus]] or ''aortic plexus''. The left [[vagus nerve]], which passes [[anterior]] to the aortic arch, gives off a major branch, the [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]], which loops under the aortic arch just lateral to the ligamentum arteriosum. It then runs back to the neck.

The aortic arch has three major branches: from [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|proximal]] to [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|distal]], they are the [[brachiocephalic trunk]], the [[common carotid artery|left common carotid artery]], and the left [[subclavian artery]]. The brachiocephalic trunk supplies the right side of the head and neck as well as the right arm and [[chest wall]], while the latter two together supply the left side of the same regions.

The aortic arch ends, and the descending aorta begins at the level of the [[intervertebral disc]] between the fourth and fifth [[thoracic vertebrae]].<ref name="Gray's Anatomy for Students"/>{{rp|209}}