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The aorta divides at approximately the level of vertebra L4 into a left and a right common iliac artery but continues as a small vessel, the median sacral artery , into the sacrum. The common iliac arteries provide blood to the pelvic region and ultimately to the lower limbs. They split into external and internal iliac arteries approximately at the level of the lumbar-sacral articulation. Each internal iliac artery sends branches to the urinary bladder, the walls of the pelvis, the external genitalia, and the medial portion of the femoral region. In females, they also provide blood to the uterus and vagina. The much larger external iliac artery supplies blood to each of the lower limbs. [link] shows the distribution of the major branches of the aorta into the thoracic and abdominal regions. [link] shows the distribution of the major branches of the common iliac arteries. [link] summarizes the major branches of the abdominal aorta.
| Vessels of the Abdominal Aorta | |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Description |
| Celiac trunk | Also called the celiac artery; a major branch of the abdominal aorta; gives rise to the left gastric artery, the splenic artery, and the common hepatic artery that forms the hepatic artery to the liver, the right gastric artery to the stomach, and the cystic artery to the gall bladder |
| Left gastric artery | Branch of the celiac trunk; supplies blood to the stomach |
| Splenic artery | Branch of the celiac trunk; supplies blood to the spleen |
| Common hepatic artery | Branch of the celiac trunk that forms the hepatic artery, the right gastric artery, and the cystic artery |
| Hepatic artery proper | Branch of the common hepatic artery; supplies systemic blood to the liver |
| Right gastric artery | Branch of the common hepatic artery; supplies blood to the stomach |
| Cystic artery | Branch of the common hepatic artery; supplies blood to the gall bladder |
| Superior mesenteric artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), the pancreas, and a majority of the large intestine |
| Inferior mesenteric artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the distal segment of the large intestine and rectum |
| Inferior phrenic arteries | Branches of the abdominal aorta; supply blood to the inferior surface of the diaphragm |
| Adrenal artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the adrenal (suprarenal) glands |
| Renal artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies each kidney |
| Gonadal artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to the gonads or reproductive organs; also described as ovarian arteries or testicular arteries, depending upon the sex of the individual |
| Ovarian artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; supplies blood to ovary, uterine (Fallopian) tube, and uterus |
| Testicular artery | Branch of the abdominal aorta; ultimately travels outside the body cavity to the testes and forms one component of the spermatic cord |
| Lumbar arteries | Branches of the abdominal aorta; supply blood to the lumbar region, the abdominal wall, and spinal cord |
| Common iliac artery | Branch of the aorta that leads to the internal and external iliac arteries |
| Median sacral artery | Continuation of the aorta into the sacrum |
| Internal iliac artery | Branch from the common iliac arteries; supplies blood to the urinary bladder, walls of the pelvis, external genitalia, and the medial portion of the femoral region; in females, also provides blood to the uterus and vagina |
| External iliac artery | Branch of the common iliac artery that leaves the body cavity and becomes a femoral artery; supplies blood to the lower limbs |
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