dorsal aorta

views updated May 21 2018

dorsal aorta The artery in vertebrate embryos that transports blood from the aortic arches to the trunk and limbs. In adult fish it is a major artery that carries oxygenated blood from the efferent branchial arteries to branches that supply the body organs; in adult tetrapods it arises from the systemic arch (see aorta). Compare ventral aorta.

A Dictionary of Biology

dorsal aorta

views updated May 14 2018

dorsal aorta The main artery conveying blood to the posterior part of the body.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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dorsal aorta

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