Everything about The Abdominal Aorta totally explained
The
abdominal aorta is the largest
artery in the
abdominal cavity. As part of the
aorta, it's a direct continuation of
descending aorta (of the thorax).
Path
It begins at the level of the
diaphragm, crossing it via the
aortic hiatus at the vertebral level of T12. It travels down the posterior wall of the abdomen in front of the vertebral column. It thus follows the curvature of the lumbar vertebrae, that is, convex forward. The peak of this convexity is at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3).
It runs parallel to the
inferior vena cava, which is located just to the right of the abdominal aorta, and becomes smaller in diameter as it gives off branches.
Branches
The abdominal aorta supplies blood to much of the abdominal cavity. It begins at T12, and usually has the following branches:
Note that the bifurcation (union) of the
inferior vena cava is at L5 and therefore below that of the bifurcation of the aorta.
Relations
The abdominal aorta lies slightly to the left of the midline of the body. It is covered, anteriorly, by the lesser
omentum and
stomach, behind which are the branches of the celiac artery and the celiac plexus; below these, by the
lienal vein, the
pancreas, the left
renal vein, the inferior part of the
duodenum, the
mesentery, and
aortic plexus.
Posteriorly, it's separated from the lumbar vertebræ and intervertebral fibrocartilages by the
anterior longitudinal ligament and left lumbar veins.
On the right side it's in relation above with the
azygos vein,
cisterna chyli,
thoracic duct, and the right crus of the diaphragm—the last separating it from the upper part of the
inferior vena cava, and from the right celiac ganglion; the inferior vena cava is in contact with the aorta below.
On the left side are the left crus of the diaphragm, the left celiac ganglion, the ascending part of the duodenum, and some coils of the
small intestine.
Relationship with inferior vena cava
The abominal aorta's venous counterpart, the
inferior vena cava (IVC), travels parallel to it on its right side.
Additional images
Image:Gray533.png|The celiac artery and its branches; the stomach has been raised and the peritoneum removed.
Image:Gray1097.png|Transverse section through the middle of the first lumbar vertebra, showing the relations of the pancreas.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Abdominal Aorta'.
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