Name: abdominal aorta branches and blood flow
Uploaded: 2024-07-18T13:37:07.000Z
Duration: 1 min 25 s
Channel: JoVE

The abdominal aorta originates from the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm and extends down to the L4 vertebra. It further branches into the visceral and parietal branches.
The unpaired visceral arteries include the celiac trunk and the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries.
The celiac trunk divides into three main branches &#8212; the left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries, supplying the stomach, liver, spleen, upper duodenum, and pancreas.
The superior mesenteric artery supplies blood to the majority of the small intestine, parts of the large intestine, and the pancreas.
The inferior mesenteric artery supplies blood to the distal part of the large intestine.
The paired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta are the suprarenal, renal, and gonadal arteries supplying blood to the kidneys and reproductive parts.
Among the parietal branches are the unpaired median sacral artery and the paired inferior phrenic and lumbar arteries.
The median sacral artery supplies blood to the sacrum, coccyx, and spinal nerves. The inferior phrenic arteries supply the diaphragm, while the lumbar arteries supply the lumbar vertebrae and abdominal wall.

abdominal aorta

Abdominal Aorta

Once the aorta traverses the diaphragmatic plane at the aortic hiatus, it is known as the abdominal aorta. This anatomical structure is positioned leftward of the spinal column, encased within a cocoon of adipose tissue behind the peritoneal cavity. It terminates at the L4 vertebra, where it splits into the common iliac arteries. Prior to this bifurcation, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several vital branches.
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which nourishes the stomach and esophagus, the splenic artery, which supplies the spleen, and the common hepatic artery. This latter artery further branches into the hepatic artery proper for the liver, the right gastric artery for the stomach, the cystic artery for the gallbladder, and multiple branches that serve the duodenum and pancreas. Additionally, the abdominal aorta gives rise to two unpaired vessels, the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. The superior mesenteric artery, arising roughly 2.5 cm below the celiac trunk, sends branches to the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), the pancreas, and a large section of the large intestine. The inferior mesenteric artery, starting about 5 cm above the common iliac arteries, supplies the distal segment of the large intestine and the rectum.
Significant paired arteries also originate from the abdominal aorta. These include the inferior phrenic arteries, the adrenal arteries, the renal arteries, the gonadal arteries, and the lumbar arteries. The inferior phrenic artery, mirroring a superior phrenic artery, nourishes the underside of the diaphragm. The adrenal artery, near the superior mesenteric artery, nourishes the adrenal glands. Each renal artery, emerging about 2.5 cm below the superior mesenteric arteries, supplies a kidney. The right renal artery is longer, reflecting the aorta&#39;s leftward position relative to the vertebral column. The gonadal artery, depending on gender, is named either the ovarian artery or the testicular artery (internal spermatic). The lumbar arteries, numbering four pairs, supply blood to the lumbar region, the abdominal wall, and the spinal cord.
At the L4 vertebra, the aorta bifurcates into the left and right common iliac arteries while continuing as the median sacral artery into the sacrum. These common iliac arteries supply blood to the pelvic region and lower limbs. They are divided into external and internal iliac arteries around the level of the lumbar-sacral articulation. Each internal iliac artery provides branches to the urinary bladder, pelvic walls, external genitalia, and the medial femoral region. In females, these arteries also supply blood to the uterus and vagina. The larger external iliac arteries primarily supply the lower limbs.

The abdominal aorta originates from the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm and extends down to the L4 vertebra. It further branches into the visceral and ...

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JoVE Core

Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 1

Blood Vessels and Circulation

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

abdominal aorta branches and blood flow

The abdominal aorta carries blood through the lower part of the body and gives off many major branches. It begins after the aorta passes through the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm. From there, it runs left of the spinal column, sits behind the peritoneal cavity, and is surrounded by fatty tissue. It ends at the L4 vertebra, where it divides into the common iliac arteries.

Before that split, the abdominal aorta gives rise to the celiac trunk, a single artery with three main branches. These are the left gastric artery, which supplies the stomach and esophagus, the splenic artery, which supplies the spleen, and the common hepatic artery. The common hepatic artery continues into the hepatic artery proper for the liver, the right gastric artery for the stomach, the cystic artery for the gallbladder, and several branches that serve the duodenum and pancreas.

The abdominal aorta also gives off two unpaired arteries, the superior mesenteric artery and the inferior mesenteric artery. The superior mesenteric artery begins about 2.5 cm below the celiac trunk. It sends branches to the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, as well as the pancreas and a large part of the large intestine. The inferior mesenteric artery starts about 5 cm above the common iliac arteries and supplies the distal large intestine and the rectum.

Several paired arteries also arise from the abdominal aorta. These include the inferior phrenic arteries, adrenal arteries, renal arteries, gonadal arteries, and lumbar arteries. The inferior phrenic artery supplies the underside of the diaphragm. The adrenal artery supplies the adrenal glands. Each renal artery supplies a kidney, and the right renal artery is longer because the aorta lies left of the vertebral column. The gonadal artery is called the ovarian artery in females and the testicular artery, or internal spermatic artery, in males. The four pairs of lumbar arteries supply the lumbar region, abdominal wall, and spinal cord.

At the L4 vertebra, the abdominal aorta bifurcates into the left and right common iliac arteries and continues as the median sacral artery into the sacrum. The common iliac arteries supply the pelvic region and lower limbs. Around the lumbar-sacral articulation, each common iliac artery divides into internal and external iliac arteries. The internal iliac arteries branch to the urinary bladder, pelvic walls, external genitalia, and the medial femoral region. In females, they also supply the uterus and vagina. The larger external iliac arteries primarily supply the lower limbs.

Abdominal Aorta Branches and Blood Flow

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key terms and concepts

Learn how the abdominal aorta branches to supply the stomach, intestines, kidneys, pelvis, and lower limbs before splitting into the common iliac arteries.

Abdominal Aorta Branches and Blood Flow | JoVE K12

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Abdominal Aorta Branches and Blood Flow

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