Aorta Anatomy 

Abdominal Aorta 

  • Two major views include long (sagittal) and short (axial)

  • Long axis view = dot oriented to head

  • Short axis view = dot oriented to the patient's right

  • Curvilinear Probe, low frequency, better for depth

  • Slowly increasing pressure will displace gas to provide better images

Short Axis View

Long Axis View 

  • Proximal Abdominal Aorta - demonstrates proximal major vessels of abdominal aorta

  • Distal Abdominal Aorta - demonstrates distal aorta down to level of bifurcation

Thoracic Aorta

Parasternal long axis view

Right parasternal long axis view

Suprasternal Notch View

EVALUATION OF THE AORTIC ARCH FROM THE SUPRASTERNAL NOTCH VIEW USING FOCUSED CARDIAC ULTRASOUND