An aortic dissection is a tear in one of the layers of the aorta. The aorta is your body’s largest blood vessel. Your aorta is made up of three layers. When a hole or tear forms in one of these layers ...

The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body. It is the largest artery in the body, measuring more than 1 inch across in some places. Any blockage or ...

An aortic aneurysm occurs when a weak aortic wall stretches, causing it to bulge. An aortic dissection occurs when there’s a tear in the aortic wall, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The ...