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![VESSELS OF RETROPERITONIUM ARTERIES Abdominal Aorta The abdominal aorta is the](/_ipx/f_webp&q_80&fit_contain&s_1440x1080/imagesDir/jpg/616344/slide-14.jpg)
VESSELS OF RETROPERITONIUM
ARTERIES
Abdominal Aorta
The abdominal aorta is the principal artery of
the abdomen, pelvis and lower limb.
Course
The abdominal aorta is the continuation of the descending thoracic aorta. It begins at the level of T12, slightly to the left of midline, posterior to the diaphragm and anterior to the T12 vertebral body. It passes inferiorly, remaining anterior to the lumbar vertebrae, before dividing into the paired common iliac arteries.
Relations
The relations of the abdominal aorta are:
Left, with the left kidney
Right, with the azygos vein (superiorly), inferior vena cava and right coeliac plexus
Posteriorly, with the vertebral bodies of T12 to L4.
Anteriorly, with the right lobe of the liver, stomach, pancreas and small bowel. The left renal vein passes anterior to the aorta
Branches
The principal branches of the abdominal aorta are:
The coeliac trunk or axis, a short vessel that contributes to supply of the liver, stomach, pancreas and spleen
The superior mesenteric artery which supplies the small bowel, proximal large bowel, and the proximal pancreas
The paired renal arteries which supply the kidneys. The right renal artery passes posterior to the inferior vena cava
The paired gonadal arteries, the course of which varies between men and women.
The inferior mesenteric artery which supplies the descending and sigmoid colon, and the rectum.
Smaller branches include lumbar arteries which supply the vertebrae and spinal canal, and inferior phrenic branches which supply the diaphragm.
Coeliac Axis / Trunk
The coeliac axis is a 2 cm stub that arises from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta, at about T12. It rapidly divides into numerous branches.