CoursesAnatomyAbdomenNerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomenAbdominal aorta and its branches

Abdominal aorta and its branches

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

1. Describe the location and course of the abdominal aorta.
2. Identify and describe the unpaired visceral, paired visceral, and posterior parietal branches of the abdominal aorta.
3. Identify the important relations of the abdominal aorta.

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The abdominal aorta is the main arterial trunk of the abdomen, beginning at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at vertebral level T12. It descends within the retroperitoneal space along the posterior abdominal wall, positioned to the left of the inferior vena cava. As it progresses inferiorly, the aorta gradually decreases in diameter while giving off its major visceral and parietal branches.

The abdominal aorta gives off several major branches, which are grouped into unpaired visceral, paired visceral and posterior parietal branches. The unpaired visceral branches include the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery. The paired visceral branches consist of the middle suprarenal, renal and gonadal arteries. The posterior parietal branches comprise the inferior phrenic arteries, lumbar arteries and the median sacral artery.

Find out more about the abdominal aorta and its branches in the video below!

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Take a closer look at each of the branches in the atlas gallery below.

Summary

Key points about the abdominal aorta and its branches
Location	Descends anterior to the vertebral column within the retroperitoneal space of the abdominal cavity.
Origin and termination	Originates as a continuation of the descending thoracic aorta at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm (T12) and terminates at its bifurcation into the left and right common iliac arteries at the level of the L4 vertebra.
Branches	Unpaired visceral: Celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, Inferior mesenteric artery Paired visceral: Middle suprarenal artery, renal artery, gonadal artery Posterior parietal: Inferior phrenic artery, lumbar arteries, median sacral artery
Supply	Celiac trunk: Foregut derivatives: stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, proximal duodenum Inferior phrenic artery: Diaphragm Superior mesenteric artery: Midgut derivatives: distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, proximal 2/3 of transverse colon Middle suprarenal artery: Suprarenal gland Renal artery: Kidney Gonadal artery: Ovary/testis Inferior mesenteric artery: Hindgut derivatives: distal 1/3 transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum Lumbar arteries: Posterior abdominal wall Middle sacral artery: Sacrum, coccyx Common iliac artery: Divides into internal iliac artery (pelvic organs, gluteal region) and external iliac artery (lower limb)

Abdominal aorta and its branches

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Summary

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