Abdominal Aorta

Inferior Mesenteric Artery (IMA)

The IMA arises off of the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta inferior to the gonadal arteries. IMA supplies blood to portions of the colon and rectum

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA)

The SMA is the second main branch which arises off of the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta approximately 1 cm inferior to the celiac trunk. It supplies blood to portions of the pancreas, intestines and colon

Aortic Arch

curves over the heart and gives rise to three main branches that supply blood to the head, neck and upper extremities. Aortic Arch Branches: Brachiocephalic Artery, Left Common Carotid Artery & Left Subclavian Artery

Descending Thoracic Aorta

travels posterior to the heart and inferiorly through the thoracic cavity. It then passes through a small opening of the diaphragm referred to as the Aortic Hiatus.

Tunica Intima

• Innermost layer which is in contact with the blood flowing through the vessel • Composed of endothelial cells, connective tissue and elastic fibers

Anatomy of Arterial Walls: consist of 3 layers.

• Tunica Intima • Tunica Media • Tunica Adventitia

Splenic Artery

Branches off of the celiac trunk and courses to the left just superiorly and posteriorly to the pancreas. Supplies blood to the Spleen.

Right Renal Artery (RRA)

Is longer than the left. Arises off of the lateral aspect of the aorta and courses to the right • Travels posterior to the inferior vena cava (IVC). Enters the hilum of the right kidney

Left Renal Artery (LRA)

Is shorter in length than the RRA. Arises off of the lateral aspect of the aorta. Courses towards the left. Enters the hilum left kidney.

Tunica Media

Middle layer consisting of smooth muscle fibers and elastic tissues

Tunica Adventitia

Outermost layer consisting of loose connective tissue, smooth muscle fibers and elastic tissues

The aorta is divided into the following sections:

Root of Aorta, Ascending Aorta, AorticArch, Descending Thoracic Aorta, Abdominal Aorta

Branches of Celiac Artery:

Splenic Artery, Left Gastric Artery, Common Hepatic Artery

Gonadal Arteries

Arise off the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta just below the level of the renal arteries. The gonadal arteries are very small in diameter and are very difficult to image with ultrasound.

Root of Aorta

Arises from the left ventricle of the heart. Three leaflets (valves) open and close with each heartbeat allowing for one- way flow of blood from the heart into the aorta.

Celiac Artery A.K.A. Celiac Trunk or Celiac Axis

Arises off of the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta approximately 1 - 2 cm below the level of the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm

Aorta Bifurcation

For most patients the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta occurs just above or at the level of the umbilicus, and is best viewed in transverse

At the level of the bifurcation the abdominal aorta splits into the:

Right & left Common Iliac Artery

Abdominal Aorta Branches:

The major branches of the abdominal aorta include: • Celiac Artery • SMA • Renal Arteries • Gonadal Arteries • IMA • IliacArteries

Renal Arteries

The renal arteries are the third major branch of the abdominal aorta. They arise just inferior to the SMA off of the lateral aspect (bilaterally) of the aorta to supply blood to the right & left kidneys

Abdominal Aorta

begins at the diaphragm. It is retroperitoneal in location. Anterior to the spine. Sits just to the left of midline.

Common Hepatic Artery

branches off of the celiac trunk and courses towards the right. It gives rise to the right gastric artery and then branches into the gastroduodenal artery and the proper hepatic artery. The proper hepatic artery continues to course towards the right to supply the liver with blood.

Left Gastric Artery

branches off the celiac artery to supply blood to the lower section of the esophagus and upper portion of the stomach. Because of the small size of the left gastric artery - it is not usually visualized on ultrasound examinations