Figure 23a

Coarctation causes severe obstruction of blood flow in the descending thoracic aorta. The descending aorta and its branches are perfused by collateral channels from the axillary and internal thoracic arteries through the intercostal arteries (arrows).

Reference Brickner, M.E., Hillis, L.D., and Lange, R.A., Medical Progress: Congenital Heart Disease in Adults (first of two parts), The New England Journal of Medicine, p 256-263

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