Abdominal Aorta Branches

The abdominal aorta originates as an extension of the thoracic aorta as it passes through the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm. It terminates as it bifurcates into the left and right common iliac arteries which supply the legs with oxygenated blood. Between these two points are several arterial branches that supply the abdominal and pelvic organs and related structures. These branches and the regions they serve are as follows:

ARTERIES............................REGION OF BODY SERVED

Inferior phrenic.............................Diaphragm

Celiac...............................................Liver, stomach, spleen, & pancreas

Superior mesenteric.....................Small intestine,ascending, & transverse

.........................................................colon

Suprarenals....................................Adrenal (suprarenal) glands

Renals..............................................Kidneys

Gonadals..........................................Ovaries or testes

Lumbars..........................................Posterior abdominal wall, lumbar

..........................................................vertebrae, & inferior end of

..........................................................spinal cord

Inferior mesenteric........................Transverse, descending, & sigmoid

...........................................................colon; rectum

Median sacral..................................Sacrum, coccyx, & rectum

Common iliacs.................................Hips, legs, urinary bladder, muscles

..........................................................of buttocks, uterus or prostate

..........................................................gland