Ch. 10

Question 1

Abdominal Aorta

Answer 1

-Retroperitoneal structure
-Multiple branches
-Bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries

(superior/inferior)

Question 2

Branches of the Abdominal Aorta

Answer 2

Inferior phrenic artery
Median sacral artery
Celiac artery
Common Hepatic artery
Splenic artery
Suprarenal(adrenal) artery
Superior mesenteric artery
Renal arteries
Gonadal artery
Inferior mesenteric artery

Question 3

Inferior phrenic artery

Answer 3

the first branch of the abdominal aorta

Question 4

Median sacral artery

Answer 4

the most inferior branch of the abdominal aorta

Question 5

Celiac Artery

Answer 5

branches from the anterior aspect of the aorta; branches into left gastric artery, splenic artery, common hepatic artery

Question 6

Common hepatic artery

Answer 6

Branches into gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and proper hepatic artery (PHA)

Question 7

Splenic artery

Answer 7

Supplies the spleen, pancreas, and left side of the greater curvature of the stomach as it courses
horizontally to the left with slight inferior-to-superior angulation

Question 8

Suprarenal artery

Answer 8

Branches from the lateral aspect of the aorta, supplies the adrenal glands

Question 9

Superior mesenteric artery

Answer 9

Branches from the anterior aspect of the aorta, supplies the largest portion of the small intestine and ascending colon and part of the transverse colon

Question 10

Renal arteries

Answer 10

Branch from the lateral aspect of the aorta, course posterior to the renal veins

Question 11

Gonadal artery

Answer 11

Branch from the anterior aspect of the aorta:
-Testicular artery (male)
-Ovarian artery (female)

Question 12

Inferior mesenteric artery

Answer 12

Branch from the anterior aspect of the aorta, supplies blood to the transverse colon, descending colon, and rectum

Question 13

Normal Abdominal Aorta Measurements

Answer 13

(Region)-(Diameter)
Proximal- 2.0
Mid- 1.5
Distal (0.8-1.0)

Question 14

Physiology of aorta

Answer 14

The primary function of the aorta and its
branches is to channel blood to organs and
tissues to ensure oxygenation and
metabolism

Question 15

Renin

Answer 15

is released from the kidney in the
event of bleeding. Renin acts on angiotensin
II, which initiates vasoconstriction (blood pressure is maintained)

Question 16

Sonographic Appearance
of the Abdominal Aorta

Answer 16

=Anechoic tubular structure located slightly to left of midline
- Bright, echogenic
smooth wall margins
- High-resistance
arterial blood flow

Question 17

Sonographic Applications (Aorta)

Answer 17

-Primarily to detect aortic aneurysms
-Fusiform, saccular, and dissecting aneurysms can be readily identified
- Stenosis
- CA, SMA, renal artery, and common iliac can be identified with Doppler sonography
- Grafts
- Evaluated for patency and complications using Doppler sonography

Question 18

Hematocrit

Answer 18

-Percentage of red blood cells to whole blood is
used to measure possible bleeding from the arterial system
- Abnormal decrease in red blood cells may also
point to bleeding
- Levels of cholesterol and lipids may indicate the potential for pathology

Question 19

Associated Tests (Aorta)

Answer 19

-Duplex Doppler sonography
-Color Doppler imaging
-Plethysmography and segmental blood pressure
-Arteriography
-Computed axial tomography (CT scan)
-Spiral computed axial tomography (spiral CT)
-Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)