What’s the difference between aortic aneurysm, aortic rupture and aortic dissection?

What’s the difference between aortic aneurysm, aortic rupture and aortic dissection?

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge — like a bubble or a balloon — in a weakened area of the wall of the aorta or across an entire segment of the aorta. Aortic aneurysm can lead to aortic rupture and aortic dissection.

An aortic rupture is a complete tear through all three layers of the aorta — like a rip or a hole — in the wall of the aorta. Blood bursts through the hole into the surrounding body cavity.

An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner aortic layer that allows blood to enter and further separate the inner and middle layers of the wall of the aorta and typically extends over a long length of the aorta in either direction and may extend into branch vessels originating from the aorta.