aorta development

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The progression of the aorta over time, from its initial formation to the mature structure. An aorta is an artery that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body. [GOC:bf, GOC:dgh, MA:0000062, UBERON:0000947, Wikipedia:Aorta]

Aorta development is a complex and highly regulated process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, originates from the truncus arteriosus, a structure that emerges from the developing heart. During embryogenesis, the aorta undergoes a series of intricate transformations to form its definitive structure.

The process starts with the formation of the dorsal aorta, a pair of vessels running along the back of the embryo. These vessels fuse to form the single, midline aorta, which then undergoes segmentation into different regions. The aortic arch, the segment connecting the heart to the dorsal aorta, develops from the truncus arteriosus and undergoes a series of transformations, including the formation of the aortic arches and their eventual remodeling into the definitive aortic arch arteries.

Concurrently, the descending aorta, the continuation of the aortic arch, elongates and expands as the embryo grows. This process involves the coordinated action of various signaling pathways and transcription factors that control cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation.

The development of the aorta is tightly regulated by a complex network of signaling molecules, including fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). These signaling molecules interact with cell surface receptors to activate intracellular signaling pathways, which ultimately regulate gene expression and cell fate.

During aorta development, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and other cell types differentiate and assemble into a functional vessel. Endothelial cells form the lining of the aorta, while smooth muscle cells contribute to the vessel wall's structure and contractility.

The process of aorta development is not limited to embryonic development. Throughout life, the aorta continues to undergo remodeling in response to various physiological and pathological stimuli. For example, during exercise, the aorta may expand to accommodate increased blood flow. In contrast, in conditions like hypertension, the aorta may thicken and stiffen, contributing to cardiovascular disease.

In summary, aorta development is a highly orchestrated process involving multiple cell types, signaling pathways, and regulatory mechanisms. It is a continuous process throughout life, adapting to changing physiological demands and contributing to cardiovascular health.'
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