What is the biggest artery in the human body?

The biggest artery in the human body is the aorta. It begins at the left ventricle of the heart and carries oxygen-rich blood into the systemic circulation.

The aorta rises as the ascending aorta, curves through the aortic arch, and then travels downward as the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Its branches supply blood to the heart, brain, arms, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and legs. Near the lower abdomen, it divides into the two common iliac arteries.

A common mix-up is confusing the aorta with the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, while the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to nearly the entire body. The word “aorta” comes from the Greek aortē, associated with the idea of something suspended or lifted.