The Role of Collagen in the Aorta's Structure

Aorta is the largest artery in the body. Anatomically, it is traditionally divided into the ascending, the aortic arch, the descending, the thoracic and the abdominal aorta. Collagen is one of the most important components of the aortic wall. Its concentration and its total amount play a significant role in the aortas' function and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and stiffness. The two main types of collagen found in the aorta...