Which Artery/arteries Branch(es)is/are Most Proximal to the Beginning of the Aorta

Question

Which artery/arteries branch(es)is/are most proximal to the beginning of the aorta at the heart?
A) hepatic
B) renal
C) coronary
D) carotid
E) pulmonary

Accepted Answer

The coronary arteries are the first branches that arise from the aorta, just above the aortic valve at the beginning of the ascending aorta. The hepatic, renal, carotid, and pulmonary arteries all arise lower in the aorta or from other arteries further downstream.