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Abdominal aorta
 
 
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The abdominal aorta is the largest artery
Artery

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood....
 in the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscus and which is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity....
. As part of the aorta
Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation....
, it is a direct continuation of descending aorta
Descending aorta

The descending aorta is part of the Aorta, the largest artery in the body. The descending aorta is the part of the aorta beginning at the Aortic arch that runs down through the Chest and Abdomen....
 (of the thorax).

egins at the level of the diaphragm, crossing it via the aortic hiatus
Aortic hiatus

The aortic hiatus is a hole in the human diaphragm . It is the lowest and most posterior of the large apertures.It is located approximately at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra ....
 at the vertebral level of T11/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 anteriorly.






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The abdominal aorta is the largest artery
Artery

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. All arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, carry oxygenated blood....
 in the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscus and which is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity....
. As part of the aorta
Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and bringing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation....
, it is a direct continuation of descending aorta
Descending aorta

The descending aorta is part of the Aorta, the largest artery in the body. The descending aorta is the part of the aorta beginning at the Aortic arch that runs down through the Chest and Abdomen....
 (of the thorax).

Path

It begins at the level of the diaphragm, crossing it via the aortic hiatus
Aortic hiatus

The aortic hiatus is a hole in the human diaphragm . It is the lowest and most posterior of the large apertures.It is located approximately at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra ....
 at the vertebral level of T11/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 anteriorly. The peak of this convexity is at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Some apes have a similar vertebreae structure in that they cannot masturbate is a spinal lesion occurs at L1 level. This was confirmed recently at Columbia University.

It runs parallel to the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
, 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:

Branch Vertebra Type Paired? A/P Description >- | inferior phrenic T12 Parietal yes post. - | celiac T12 Visceral no ant. - | superior mesenteric
Superior mesenteric artery

See also: Superior Mesenteric Artery SyndromeIn human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac artery, and supplies the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas....
 		 L1 Visceral no ant. - | middle suprarenal L1 Visceral yes post. to adrenal gland
Adrenal gland

In mammals, the adrenal glands are the star-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys; their name indicates that position . They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the biosynthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline, respectively....
 |- | renal
Renal artery

The renal arteries normally arise off the side of the abdominal aorta, immediately below the superior mesenteric artery, and supply the kidneys with blood....
 		 L2 Visceral yes post. - | gonadal
Gonadal artery

The term gonadal artery is a generic term for a paired artery, with one arising from the abdominal aorta for each gonad. Specifically, it can refer to:...
 		 L2 Visceral yes post. ovarian artery
Ovarian artery

In human anatomy, the ovarian artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary. It arises from the abdominal aortic artery below the renal artery, and does not pass out of the abdominal cavity....
 in females; testicular artery
Testicular artery

The testicular artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery, with one for each of the testes....
 in males |- | lumbar
Lumbar arteries

The lumbar arteries are in series with the Intercostal arteries.They are usually four in number on either side, and arise from the back of the aorta, opposite the bodies of the upper four lumbar vertebr?....
 		 L1-L4 Parietal yes post. four on each side that supply the abdominal wall and spinal cord
Spinal cord

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of neuron and glia that extends from the brain. The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system....
 |- | inferior mesenteric
Inferior mesenteric artery

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery, often abbreviated as IMA, supplies the large intestine from the Colic flexure to the upper part of the rectum, which includes the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and part of the rectum....
 		 L3 Visceral no ant. - | median sacral
Median sacral artery

The median sacral artery is a small vessel, which arises from the back of the aorta, a little above its bifurcation.It descends in the middle line in front of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebr?, the sacrum and coccyx, and ends in the glomus coccygeum ....
 		 L4 Parietal no post. - | common iliac
Common iliac artery

The common iliac arteries are two large artery, about 4cm long in adults but more than a centimetre in diameter, that originate from the aortic bifurcation....
 		 L4 Terminal yes post. branches (bifurcates) to supply blood to the lower limbs and the pelvis, ending the abdominal aorta


Note that the bifurcation (union) of the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
 is at L5 and therefore below that of the bifurcation of the aorta.

  1. inferior phrenic a.
  2. celiac a.
    1. left gastric a.
    2. splenic a.
      1. short gastric arteries (6)
      2. splenic arteries (6)
      3. left gastroepiploic a.
    3. hepatic a.
      1. cystic a.
      2. right gastric a.
      3. gastroduodenal a.
        1. right gastroepiploic a.
        2. superior pancreaticoduodenal a.
      4. right hepatic a.
      5. left hepatic a.


  1. superior mesenteric a.
    1. jejunal and ileal arteries
    2. inferior pancreaticoduodenal a.
    3. middle colic a.
    4. right colic a.
    5. ileocolic a
      1. anterior cecal a.
      2. posterior celcal a. – appendicular a.
      3. ileal a.
      4. colic a.


  1. middle suprarenal a.
  2. renal a.
  3. testicular or ovarian a.


  1. four lumbar arteries


  1. inferior mesenteric a.
    1. left colic a.
    2. sigmoid arteries (2 or 3)
    3. superior rectal a.


  1. median sacral a.


    1. external iliac a.
    2. internal iliac a.


Relations

The abdominal aorta lies slightly to the left of the midline of the body. It is covered, anteriorly, by the lesser omentum
Omentum

Omentum can refer to two different components of the peritoneum:* greater omentum* lesser omentum...
 and stomach
Stomach

In most mammals, the stomach is a hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication....
, behind which are the branches of the celiac artery and the celiac plexus; below these, by the lienal vein, the pancreas
Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland Organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland , as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing Digestion enzymes that pass to the small intestine....
, the left renal vein
Renal vein

The renal veins are veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava.It is usually singular to each kidney, except in the condition "multiple renal veins"....
, the inferior part of the duodenum
Duodenum

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum....
, the mesentery
Mesentery

In anatomy, the mesentery is the double layer of peritoneum that suspends the jejunum and ileum from the posterior wall of the abdomen. Its meaning, however, is frequently extended to include double layers of peritoneum connecting various components of the abdominal cavity....
, and aortic plexus
Aortic plexus

The abdominal aortic plexus is formed by branches derived, on either side, from the celiac plexus and ganglia, and receives filaments from some of the lumbar ganglia....
.

Posteriorly, it is separated from the lumbar vertebræ and intervertebral fibrocartilages by the anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament

The anterior longitudinal ligament is a ligament that runs down the anterior surface of the Vertebral column. It traverses all of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs....
 and left lumbar veins.

On the right side it is in relation above with the azygos vein
Azygos vein

The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column. It can also provide an alternate path for blood to the superior vena cava....
, cisterna chyli
Cisterna chyli

The cisterna chyli is a dilated sac at the lower end of the thoracic duct into which lymph from the intestinal trunk and two lumbar lymphatic trunks flow....
, thoracic duct
Thoracic duct

In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is an important part of the lymphatic system—it is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. It is also known under various other names including the alimentary duct, chyliferous duct, duct of Pecquet, the left lymphatic duct and Van Hoorne's canal....
, and the right crus of the diaphragm—the last separating it from the upper part of the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
, 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
Small intestine

In vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and bony fish, the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach, and is where the vast majority of digestion takes place....
.

Relationship with inferior vena cava

The abominal aorta's venous counterpart, the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
 (IVC), travels parallel to it on its right side.
  • Above the level of the umbilicus
    Umbilicus

    Umbilicus may refer to:*Umbilicus , a feature of gastropod, Nautilus and Ammonite shell anatomy*Navel, a synonym for the navel or belly button....
    , the aorta is somewhat posterior to the IVC, sending the right renal artery travelling behind it. The IVC likewise sends its opposite side counterpart, the left renal vein, crossing in front of the aorta.
  • Below the level of the umbilicus, the situation is generally reversed, with the aorta sending its right common iliac artery
    Common iliac artery

    The common iliac arteries are two large artery, about 4cm long in adults but more than a centimetre in diameter, that originate from the aortic bifurcation....
     to cross its opposite side counterpart (the left common iliac vein
    Common iliac vein

    In human anatomy, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac veins and internal iliac veins and together, in the abdomen at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, form the inferior vena cava....
    ) anteriorly.


Collateral circulation

The collateral circulation would be carried on by the anastomoses between the internal thoracic artery
Internal thoracic artery

In human anatomy, the internal thoracic artery , previously known as the internal mammary artery , is an artery that supplies the anterior chest wall and the breasts....
 and the inferior epigastric artery
Inferior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery....
; by the free communication between the superior and inferior mesenterics, if the ligature were placed between these vessels; or by the anastomosis between the inferior mesenteric artery
Inferior mesenteric artery

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery, often abbreviated as IMA, supplies the large intestine from the Colic flexure to the upper part of the rectum, which includes the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and part of the rectum....
 and the internal pudendal artery
Internal pudendal artery

The internal pudendal artery is an artery that branches off the internal iliac artery, providing blood to the external genitalia.The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery....
, when (as is more common) the point of ligature is below the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery
Inferior mesenteric artery

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery, often abbreviated as IMA, supplies the large intestine from the Colic flexure to the upper part of the rectum, which includes the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and part of the rectum....
; and possibly by the anastomoses of the lumbar arteries
Lumbar arteries

The lumbar arteries are in series with the Intercostal arteries.They are usually four in number on either side, and arise from the back of the aorta, opposite the bodies of the upper four lumbar vertebr?....
 with the branches of the internal iliac artery
Internal iliac artery

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis....
.

Additional images


See also

  • Nutcracker syndrome
    Nutcracker syndrome

    In medicine, the nutcracker syndrome ? also known as nutcracker phenomenon, renal vein entrapment syndrome, or mesoaortic compression of the left renal vein ? is a compression of the left renal vein between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery ....
  • Aortocaval compression syndrome
    Aortocaval compression syndrome

    Aortocaval compression syndrome, is compression of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava by the pregant uterus when a pregnant woman lies on her back, i.e....


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