Abdominal aorta

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Abdominal aorta
Aorta segments.svg
Segments of the aorta, with both suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta
Gray531.png
The abdominal aorta and its branches.
Details
Source Thoracic aorta
Branches Celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, common iliac, ovarian artery, median sacral artery
Vein Inferior vena cava
Identifiers
Latin aorta abdominali,
pars abdominalis aortae
MeSH D001012
TA98 A12.2.12.001
TA2 4205
FMA 3789
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta (of the thorax). [1]

Contents

Structure

The abdominal aorta begins at the level of the diaphragm, crossing it via the aortic hiatus, technically behind the diaphragm, at the vertebral level of T12. [1] It travels down the posterior wall of the abdomen, anterior to 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). 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. This is thought to be due to the large size of its principal branches. At the 11th rib, the diameter is 122mm long and 55mm wide and this is because of the constant pressure. [2] The abdominal aorta is clinically divided into 2 segments:

  1. The suprarenal abdominal or paravisceral segment, inferior to the diaphragm but superior to the renal arteries.
  2. The Infrarenal segment, inferior to the renal arteries and superior to the iliac bifurcation.

Branches

The abdominal aorta supplies blood to much of the abdominal cavity. It begins at T12 and ends at L4 with its bifurcation into the common iliac arteries [1] and usually has the following branches:

Artery BranchVertebraTypePaired?A/PDescription
inferior phrenic T12Parietalyespost.Originates above the celiac trunk, below the diaphragm. Passes upward and medially to the suprarenal gland, and crosses crus of diaphragm of corresponding side. Supplies diaphragm and gives superior suprarenal arteries.
celiac T12Visceralnoant.Large anterior branch
superior mesenteric L1Visceralnoant.Large anterior branch, arises just below celiac trunk
middle suprarenal L1Visceralyespost.Crosses crus of diaphragm laterally on each side; supplies the suprarenal gland.
renal In between L1 and L2Visceralyespost.Arises just below the superior mesenteric artery. Right renal artery passes deep to the inferior vena cava to right kidney; here it divides into branches. Left renal artery passes deep to the left renal vein. Divides in hilum of kidney. Both arteries give inferior suprarenal arteries and ureteral branches.
gonadal L2Visceralyesant. Ovarian artery in females; testicular artery in males
lumbar L1-L4Parietalyespost.Four on each side that supply the abdominal wall and spinal cord. The fifth pair is the lumbar branches of the iliolumbar arteries. They pass deep to the crura on side of vertebral bodies and pass deep to the psoas major and quadratus lumborum to enter the space between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. Each artery gives off a small dorsal branch, which gives a spinal branch to the vertebral canal and then continues to supply the muscles of the back.
inferior mesenteric L3Visceralnoant.Large anterior branch
median sacral L4Parietalnopost.Artery arising from the middle of the aorta at its lowest part. Represents the continuation of the primitive dorsal aorta; quite large in animals with tails but smaller in humans.
common iliac L4Terminalyespost.Branches (bifurcations) to supply blood to the lower limbs and the pelvis, ending the abdominal aorta

The bifurcation (union) of the inferior vena cava is at L5 and therefore below that of the bifurcation of the aorta.

Volume rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels. Volume rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels (smaller).gif
Volume rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels.
  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.
      4. pancreatic arteries
    3. common hepatic a.
      1. right gastric a.
      2. gastroduodenal a.
        1. right gastroepiploic a.
        2. superior pancreaticoduodenal a.
      3. right hepatic a.
        1. cystic a.
      4. left hepatic a.
  3. superior mesenteric a.
    1. inferior pancreaticoduodenal a.
    2. jejunal and ileal arteries
    3. middle colic a.
    4. right colic a.
    5. ileocolic a
      1. anterior cecal a.
      2. posterior cecal a. – appendicular a.
      3. ileal a.
      4. colic a.
  4. middle suprarenal a.
  5. renal a.
  6. testicular or ovarian a.
  7. four lumbar arteries
  8. inferior mesenteric a.
    1. left colic a.
    2. sigmoid arteries (2 or 3)
    3. superior rectal a.
  9. median sacral a.
  10. common iliac 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 and stomach, behind which are the branches of the celiac artery and the celiac plexus; below these, by the lienal vein (splenic vein), are the pancreas, the left renal vein, the inferior part of the duodenum, the mesentery, and the aortic plexus.

Posteriorly, it is separated from the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral fibrocartilages by the anterior longitudinal ligament and left lumbar veins.

On the right side it is 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.

A 3D illustration of the abdominal aorta at the iliac junction Image04-MRay01.jpg
A 3D illustration of the abdominal aorta at the iliac junction

Relationship with inferior vena cava

The abdominal aorta's venous counterpart, the inferior vena cava (IVC), travels parallel to it on its right side.

Collateral circulation

The collateral circulation would be carried on by the anastomoses between the internal thoracic artery and the inferior 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 and the internal pudendal artery, when (as is more common) the point of ligature is below the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery; and possibly by the anastomoses of the lumbar arteries with the branches of the internal iliac artery.

Clinical significance

Aneurysm

Additional images

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aorta</span> Largest artery in the human body

The aorta is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart, branching upwards immediately after, and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits at the aortic bifurcation into two smaller arteries. The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body through the systemic circulation.

Articles related to anatomy include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior vena cava</span> One of two veinous trunks bringing deoxygenated blood back to the heart

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celiac plexus</span> Complex network of nerves located in the upper abdomen

The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta. It is behind the stomach and the omental bursa, and in front of the crura of the diaphragm, on the level of the first lumbar vertebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renal artery</span> Vessel supplying blood to kidney

The renal arteries are paired arteries that supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Periaortic lymph nodes</span> Human lymph nodes

The periaortic lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes that lie in front of the lumbar vertebrae near the aorta. These lymph nodes receive drainage from the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal organs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renal vein</span> Short thick veins which return blood from the kidneys to the vena cava

The renal veins in the renal circulation, are large-calibre veins that drain blood filtered by the kidneys into the inferior vena cava. There is one renal vein draining each kidney. Each renal vein is formed by the convergence of the interlobar veins of one kidney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celiac artery</span> First major branch of the abdominal aorta

The celiacartery, also known as the celiac trunk or truncus coeliacus, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It is about 1.25 cm in length. Branching from the aorta at thoracic vertebra 12 (T12) in humans, it is one of three anterior/ midline branches of the abdominal aorta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior mesenteric artery</span> Artery which supplies blood to the intestines and pancreas

In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior mesenteric artery</span> Branch of the abdominal aorta supplying part of the large intestine

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The regions supplied by the IMA are the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and part of the rectum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common iliac artery</span> Artery in the abdomen

The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior phrenic arteries</span>

The inferior phrenic artery is a bilaterally paired artery of the abdominal cavity which represents the main source of arterial supply to the diaphragm. Each artery usually arises either from the coeliac trunk or the abdominal aorta, however, their origin is highly variable and the different sites of origin are different for the left artery and right artery. The superior suprarenal artery is a branch of the inferior phrenic artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle suprarenal arteries</span> Arteries of the abdomen

The middle suprarenal artery is a paired artery in the abdomen. It is a branch of the aorta. It supplies the adrenal gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior hypogastric plexus</span>

The superior hypogastric plexus is a plexus of nerves situated on the vertebral bodies anterior to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. It bifurcates to form the left and the right hypogastric nerve. The SHP is the continuation of the abdominal aortic plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar veins</span> Veins that drain the posterior abdominal wall

The lumbar veins are four pairs of veins running along the inside of the posterior abdominal wall, and drain venous blood from parts of the abdominal wall. Each lumbar vein accompanies a single lumbar artery. The lower two pairs of lumbar veins all drain directly into the inferior vena cava, whereas the fate of the upper two pairs is more variable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aortic bifurcation</span>

The aortic bifurcation is the point at which the abdominal aorta bifurcates (forks) into the left and right common iliac arteries. The aortic bifurcation is usually seen at the level of L4, just above the junction of the left and right common iliac veins.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lech, Christie; Swaminathan, Anand (November 2017). "Abdominal aortic emergencies". Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 35 (4): 847–867. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2017.07.003. PMID   28987432.
  2. ↑ Jim, Jeffrey; Thompson, Robert W. "Clinical features and diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm". UpToDate .
  3. ↑ Jang, Timothy (28 August 2017). "Bedside ultrasonography evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm—technique". Medscape .
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