Chapter 7 Abdominal Aorta

Question 1

Is the abdominal aorta retroperitoneal or peritoneal?

Answer 1

retroperitoneal

Question 2

Where does the abdominal aorta start?

Answer 2

it is an extension of the thoracic aorta at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm

Question 3

What is the role of the thoracic aorta?

Answer 3

to deliver blood to all of the abdominopelvic organs and structures

Question 4

What is the bifurcation?

Answer 4

where the aorta branches into the right and left common iliac arteries at the level of the L4

Question 5

Where are the paired inferior phrenic arteries located?

Answer 5

they branch from the lateral surface of the abdominal aorta just as it descends through the aortic hiatus

Question 6

What do the inferior phrenic arteries supply blood to?

Answer 6

the inferior surface of the diaphragm

Question 7

Where is the right inferior phrenic artery located?

Answer 7

it passes upward on the right side behind of the IVC

Question 8

Where is the left inferior phrenic artery located?

Answer 8

it passes behind the stomach and the abdominal part of the esophagus

Question 9

Where are the lumbar arteries located?

Answer 9

they arise from the posterior wall of the abdominal aorta at the level of L1-L4

Question 10

What do the lumbar arteries supply blood to?

Answer 10

the posterior abdominal wall, lumbar vertebrae, and intervertebral disks

Question 11

What are the three suprarenal arteries?

Answer 11

1. middle suprarenal artery
2. superior suprarenal artery
3. inferior suprarenal artery

Question 12

What do the suprarenal arteries supply blood to?

Answer 12

the adrenal glands

Question 13

Where is the middle suprarenal artery located?

Answer 13

it exits the lateral walls of the aorta near the base of the SMA

Question 14

Where is the superior suprarenal artery located?

Answer 14

branched off of the inferior suprarenal artery

Question 15

Where is the inferior suprarenal artery located?

Answer 15

they extend off of the renal arteries

Question 16

Where are the renal arteries located?

Answer 16

they arise from the lateral walls of the aorta just below the SMA and travel horizontally to the hilum of the corresponding kidney

Question 17

What do the renal arteries supply blood to?

Answer 17

the kidneys

Question 18

Why is the right renal artery slightly longer than the left renal artery?

Answer 18

because the left kidney is higher than the right kidney due to the position of the aorta

Question 19

Where are the gonadal arteries located?

Answer 19

they originate from the anterior wall of the aorta just inferior to the renal arteries; they then descend along the psoas muscle to reach their respective organs

Question 20

What are the male gonadal arteries called?

Answer 20

the testicular arteries

Question 21

What are the female gonadal arteries called?

Answer 21

the ovarian arteries

Question 22

What do the testicular arteries supply blood to?

Answer 22

the testes and scrotum

Question 23

What do the ovarian arteries supply blood to?

Answer 23

the ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterus

Question 24

Where is the celiac trunk located?

Answer 24

it leaves the anterior wall of the aorta just after the aorta passes through the diaphragm

Question 25

What are the three branches of the celiac trunk?

Answer 25

1. left gastric
2. common hepatic
3. splenic

Question 26

Where is the SMA located?

Answer 26

it emerges just below the celiac trunk at the level of L1. it then descends behind the body of the pancreas, then over the horizontal portion of the duodenum to enter the mesentery of the ileum

Question 27

What does the SMA supply blood to?

Answer 27

the head of the pancreas and the majority of the small and large intestines

Question 28

Where is the IMA located?

Answer 28

arises 3-4 cm above the bifurcation of the aorta at the L3-L4 level. it descends in front of the abdominal aorta and then to the left