The abdomen and pelvis are supplied by branches of the abdominal aorta and its continuation, the internal iliac artery, which is a branch of the common iliac artery.
Course and related structures
- The abdominal aorta begins as the descending aorta passes through the diaphragm at the aortic hiatus, below the level of T12 vertebra
- It descends through the abdomen anterior to the vertebral bodies and lumbar veins, deviating slightly to the left
- As it descends, the pancreas and splenic vein, left renal vein, and the inferior part of the duodenum lie anterior to it
- The right crus of the diaphragm is located to its right
- The cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, azygos vein, and the inferior vena cava are all located to its left
- The aortic plexus of the autonomic nervous system covers its anterior surface
- Within the abdomen, it gives off several branches and then terminates as the right and left common iliac arteries at the level of L4 vertebra
- The renal arteries divide the abdominal aorta into the suprarenal and infrarenal segments
