1. Behind the thoracic aorta is the vertebral column and the hemiazygos vein. 2. The cause was a recurrent rupture of his thoracic aorta , his family said. 3. Injuries to the thoracic aorta and heart can also occur. 4. The thoracic aorta has a curved shape that faces forward, and has small branches. 5. Transoesophageal Doppler includes two main technologies; descending thoracic aorta . 6. Arterial compliance is an index of the elasticity of large arteries such as the thoracic aorta . 7. _1953 : Performs first successful resection and graft replacement of a fusiform aneurysm of the thoracic aorta . 8. The esophagus, which is covered by a nerve plexus lies to the right of the thoracic aorta . 9. In very rare instances, this vessel arises from the thoracic aorta , as low down as the fourth thoracic vertebra. 10. A disease characterized by permanent dilation of the thoracic aorta usually due to degenerative changes in the aortic wall.