A probationary essay on the arch of the aorta, and great bloodvessels arising from it : submitted, ... to the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, ... / by William Fergusson.

  • Fergusson, William, Sir, 1808-1877.
Date:
September 1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A probationary essay on the arch of the aorta, and great bloodvessels arising from it : submitted, ... to the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, ... / by William Fergusson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    When the Aorta leaves the heart, it is nearly op¬ posite to the fourth dorsal vertebra, and when it first comes in contact with the spinal column, it is opposite to the third dorsal vertebra. Throughout this part of its course, it generally receives the name of the Arch of the Aorta, and, for the convenience of description, it has sometimes been divided into three distinct portions ; which arrangement I shall follow, as it seems to be best adapted for facilitating a correct anatomical description of this part of the body. The first part of the artery, tracing it from the heart, is called the ascending portion, the upper part of the arch is termed its transverse, and that part which passes downwards and backwards is termed the descending portion. The commence¬ ment of the Aorta cannot be seen without a particu¬ lar dissection, being here closely surrounded by the neighbouring parts. Immediately as it springs from the heart, we find within it three project¬ ing folds of the inner membrane of the ventricle and artery which are termed the Sigmoid or Semilunar Valves, and just above or behind these valves, the three pouches or sinuses of Morgagni, and in two of these we find the openings of the coro¬ nary arteries. The semilunar valves and sinuses of