Measurements of aortic length and circumference in 336 post-mortem specimens confirm earlier, neglected observations on the progressive increase in aortic size which occurs with advancing years. The increase is not related to atherosclerosis , or to hypertension and seems to be part of a true ageing process. The value of measurement of aortic size in body age determination merits exploration by forensic pathologists. Aortic calcification is found in raised and complicated atherosclerotic plaques and its prevalence and severity closely follows the accepted pattern of plaque severity, occurring earlier and more severely in men, in the abdominal aorta and in patients with overt vascular disease in other territories such as patients with cardiac infarcts. No association was found between the amount of calcification and the presence of hypertension, diabetes or neoplasia.