主动脉(aorta)是人体中重要的动脉血管之一,尽管它的基本血管功能已被广泛研究,但其作为独立器官的多重生理作用常被忽视。近年来的研究表明,主动脉不仅在血压维持中发挥核心作用,还参与代谢、内分泌、神经系统调节和免疫应激等关键生理过程。主动脉独特的结构和功能赋予其在多种生理和病理状态下的重要作用。本文综述了主动脉作为独立器官的重要性,探讨了其在结构和功能上的独特性。重点介绍了主动脉内皮细胞及平滑肌细胞在代谢和内分泌的调控功能,以及主动脉在神经调控和免疫应激中的作用。这些研究进展的讨论,为深入理解主动脉的生理和病理功能提供了新的视角,并为未来研究提供了可能的研究方向。

The aorta is one of the most important arteries in the human body. Although its basic vascular functions have been extensively studied, its multiple physiological roles as an independent organ have often been overlooked. Recent studies have shown that the aorta not only plays a central role in blood pressure maintenance, but also participates in key physiological processes such as metabolism, endocrinology, nervous system regulation, and immune stress. The unique structure and function of the aorta endow it with significant roles in a variety of physiological and pathological states. This article reviews the importance of the aorta as an independent organ and discusses its structural and functional uniqueness. Emphasis is placed on the metabolic and endocrine regulatory functions of aortic endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, as well as the role of the aorta in neuroregulation and immune stress. The discussion of these research advances provides new perspectives for an in-depth understanding of the physiological and pathological functions of the aorta and offers potential research directions for future studies.