Normal size of thoracic aortic segments. The thoracic aorta can be divided into three segments: the ascending aorta that extends from the aortic annulus to the innominate artery and is typically measured at the level of the aortic annulus, the sinuses of Valsalva, the sinotubular junction, and the proximal (tubular) ascending aorta; the aortic arch that extends from the innominate artery to the ligamentum arteriosum; and the descending aorta that extends from the ligamentum arteriosum to the level of the diaphragm. PA, right pulmonary artery. Modified from Diseases of the aorta. In: Feigenbaum H, Armstrong WF, Ryan T, eds. Feigenbaum's Echocardiography. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005. p673; Ascending aorta values from Erbel et al.⁴⁶