The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries all the blood that is pumped out of the heart and distributes it, via its many branches, to all the organs of the body. The normal diameter of the abdominal aorta is about one inch.
Most aortic aneurysms occur in the abdominal aorta, the main cause being arteriosclerosis.
This is a condition in which fatty deposits are laid down in the walls of arteries, which are less elastic and weaker as a result. Major risk factors for arteriosclerosis are smoking and high blood pressure, although it also probably runs in families. This is a very serious condition, in which the inner wall of the aorta develops a tear and then rips off inside the aorta due to the pressure of the blood flowing over it. Many people can have an aortic aneurysm for years before any symptoms develop. When they do become evident, symptoms vary according to the type and location of the aneurysm.