Aortic branch aneurysms

[Julene]

Aortic branch aneurysms are bulges (dilations) in the wall of the major arteries that come directly off of the aorta.
(See also Overview of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection.)
The aorta is the largest artery of the body. It receives oxygen-rich blood from the heart and distributes it to the body through smaller arteries that branch off of it. Aneurysms may occur in any major branch of the aorta. Such aneurysms are much less common than abdominal aortic aneurysms or thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Risk factors for aneurysms include

Atherosclerosis
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Older age

Infection in tissues near an artery can cause an infected aneurysm (mycotic aneurysm). Autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation in different arteries, leading to weakening of the arterial wall, and formation of aneurysms (inflammatory aneurysm).