(ā-or-tī′tĭs)
[Pronunciation]
[L. from Gr. aorte, aorta, + itis, inflammation]

Inflammation of the aorta, as occurs in patients with syphilis, autoimmune vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu's arteritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms usually are nonspecific: fever, chills, myalgias, and malaise.