The aorta is the major artery in the human body. It supplies blood to the body. It runs from the brain, through the heart and into the abdominal cavity. The aorta would be about the thickness of a common garden hose. An aneurism in this main blood body supply vessel can be fatal.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in the lower section of the aorta identified as a weakened bulging area. Some people may never have any symptoms, but knowing that you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm certainly is scary. Not all abdominal aortic aneurysms will rupture, the small ones don’t usually rupture, but the larger ones can. The size and the grow pattern (large and fast growing ones are more dangerous), will determine if the abdominal aortic aneurysm will be at risk for rupturing. Treatment will depend on the growth and size. Medical treatment range from simply monitoring the abdominal aortic aneurysm, to surgery. Surgery is the last resort as it can be risky.