Ch. 10 Flashcards
Abdominal Aorta
-Retroperitoneal structure
-Multiple branches
-Bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries
(superior/inferior)
Branches of the Abdominal Aorta
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
Inferior phrenic artery
the first branch of the abdominal aorta
Median sacral artery
the most inferior branch of the abdominal aorta
Celiac Artery
branches from the anterior aspect of the aorta; branches into left gastric artery, splenic artery, common hepatic artery
Common hepatic artery
Branches into gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and proper hepatic artery (PHA)
Splenic artery
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
Suprarenal artery
Branches from the lateral aspect of the aorta, supplies the adrenal glands
Superior mesenteric artery
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
Renal arteries
Branch from the lateral aspect of the aorta, course posterior to the renal veins
Gonadal artery
Branch from the anterior aspect of the aorta:
-Testicular artery (male)
-Ovarian artery (female)
Inferior mesenteric artery
Branch from the anterior aspect of the aorta, supplies blood to the transverse colon, descending colon, and rectum
Normal Abdominal Aorta Measurements
(Region)-(Diameter)
Proximal- 2.0
Mid- 1.5
Distal (0.8-1.0)
Physiology of aorta
The primary function of the aorta and its
branches is to channel blood to organs and
tissues to ensure oxygenation and
metabolism
Renin
is released from the kidney in the
event of bleeding. Renin acts on angiotensin
II, which initiates vasoconstriction (blood pressure is maintained)
Sonographic Appearance
of the Abdominal Aorta
=Anechoic tubular structure located slightly to left of midline
- Bright, echogenic
smooth wall margins
- High-resistance
arterial blood flow
Sonographic Applications (Aorta)
-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
Hematocrit
-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
Associated Tests (Aorta)
-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)