The abdominal aorta is the continuation of the thoracic aorta as it passes through the diaphragm at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra. It runs down the posterior abdominal wall, slightly to the left of the midline, in front of the vertebral bodies. This large artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the lower part of the body. It is a thick-walled, muscular vessel designed to withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped directly from the heart. Along

COARCTATION OF THE AORTA (CoA) --- 1--Definition Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of the aortic lumen, most commonly located just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery, near the insertion of the ductus arteriosus (“juxtaductal” area). This narrowing increases afterload and causes upper body hypertension with lower body hypoperfusion. --- 2--Incidence and Epidemiology Occurs in 4–6 per 10,000 live births Accounts for 5–8% of all congenital heart diseases Male : Fema