The Aorta and Its Parts The aorta ascends toward the right from the left ventricle. Then it curves posteriorly and to the left. It continues downward posterior to the heart and just anterior to the vertebral column, through the diaphragm, and into the abdomen (Figs. 11-4 and 11-5). The aorta is one continuousartery, but it may be divided into sections: