Where is an aortic aneurysm?

The aorta: The aorta is the large, main artery that carries blood from the heart. An aneurysm (a portion that dilates or expands to a larger than normal diameter) can occur anywhere along its length, from where it emerges from the heart in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) to where it travels through the abdomen & splits into the iliac arteries (abdominal aortic aneurysm, or aaa) - or anywhere between.

Follows the aorta: The aorta starts at the heart (in the chest) extends to the neck, comes down the chest, into the abdomen and divides at the level of the belly button. Most aortic aneurysms are located in the abdomen.