The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries blood that is pumped out of the heart and distributes it, via its many branches, to all 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 atheriosclerosis.
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 atheriosclerosis are smoking and high blood pressure, although it also probably runs in families. 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. The treatment of an aortic aneurysm depends on the symptoms that it causes.