M31.4: Aortic arch syndrome [Takayasu]

The aorta begins at the heart itself. First it runs upwards and then it arches down through the chest to the abdomen. At around the level of the navel, the aorta branches into 2 large blood vessels. These blood vessels first run to the pelvis and then to the legs. There are many branches coming off the aorta. These arteries go to your brain, heart, arms and internal organs, for example. Arteries are blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart. They supply all the tissue in the body with oxygen-rich blood.

The precise cause of the inflammation is not yet known. Inflamed arteries can get narrow. The blood supply to the tissue that gets its blood through these arteries may then become inadequate. This can cause various symptoms, depending on which arteries are affected. If the arteries in the arms get narrower, the arm muscles may get weaker, for example. If the arteries for the brain get narrow, for example, it can cause dizziness.

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