vessels of the posterior abdominal wall Flashcards
What are the major vessels of the abdomen?
Abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava
These vessels course along the posterior abdominal wall.
Where does the abdominal aorta transition from the thoracic aorta?
At the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm, at the level of T12 vertebra
This transition marks the beginning of the abdominal aorta.
At what vertebral level does the abdominal aorta end?
L4 vertebra
What structures are associated with the abdominal aorta anteriorly?
Celiac plexus, body of the pancreas, splenic vein, left renal vein, horizontal part of the duodenum, coils of the small intestine
These structures are located in front of the abdominal aorta.
Which structures are located to the right of the abdominal aorta?
Inferior vena cava, azygos vein, cisterna chyli, thoracic duct
These vessels are positioned laterally to the abdominal aorta.
What is the function of the left lumbar veins?
They pass behind the aorta to reach the inferior vena cava.
How are the branches of the abdominal aorta organized?
In three categories based on vascular plane: paired visceral branches, paired parietal branches, unpaired visceral branches.
What are the paired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta?
Middle suprarenal arteries, renal arteries, gonadal arteries
These supply the suprarenal glands, kidneys, and testicles or ovaries.
What do the paired parietal branches of the abdominal aorta supply?
Inferior surface of the diaphragm and posterior abdominal wall
These include the inferior phrenic arteries and lumbar arteries.
What are the unpaired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta?
Celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery
These supply the foregut, midgut, and hindgut structures respectively.
What happens at the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta?
It bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries at L4 vertebra.
What do the common iliac arteries divide into?
External iliac artery and internal iliac artery.
What do the external iliac arteries supply before leaving the abdomen?
Infeior Epigastric and Deep Circumflex ilac Arteries supply the Anterolateral abdominal wall
They give rise to the inferior epigastric arteries and deep circumflex iliac arteries.
Where does the internal iliac artery descend?
Into the pelvic cavity to supply various structures of the pelvis.
Where does the inferior vena cava begin?
Anterior to the L5 vertebra through the union of the common iliac veins
The inferior vena cava begins just right of the median plane, inferior to the aortic bifurcation.
What is the path of the inferior vena cava as it travels superiorly?
It travels on the right side of the bodies of the L3 through L5 vertebrae and just to the right of the abdominal aorta
The inferior vena cava leaves the abdomen by passing through the caval opening in the diaphragm at the level of the T8 vertebra.
What do the unpaired visceral branches of the inferior vena cava drain into?
The hepatic portal vein
These branches send blood from the abdominal viscera to the liver for processing and detoxification.
How does blood leave the liver?
Through the hepatic veins, which drain into the inferior vena cava
Which veins correspond to the paired visceral branches of the aorta?
Right suprarenal vein, right renal vein, left renal vein, right gonadal vein
The left suprarenal vein and gonadal vein drain directly to the left renal vein.
Which veins drain directly to the inferior vena cava?
Right suprarenal vein, right renal vein, right gonadal vein.
*The left drain first to the Renal V. and than to the IVC
The left suprarenal vein and gonadal vein drain to the left renal vein first.
What are the tributaries of the inferior vena cava that correspond to the paired parietal branches of the aorta?
Inferior phrenic veins, 3rd lumbar veins, 4th lumbar veins
Where do the common iliac lymph nodes receive lymph from?
External and internal iliac lymph nodes
What do the common iliac lymph nodes pass lymph to?
Right and left lumbar lymph nodes
These lymph nodes lie on both sides of the inferior vena cava and aorta.
What structures do the right and left lumbar lymph nodes receive lymph from?
Posterior abdominal wall, kidneys, ureters, testes or ovaries, uterus, uterine tubes
Which lymph nodes drain the descending colon, pelvis, and lower limbs?
Inferior mesenteric and common iliac lymph nodes
What do lymph from the digestive tract pass along to reach the preaortic lymph nodes?
Celiac and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries
What is the thoracic duct’s position?
Anterior to the bodies of the L1 and L2 vertebrae
Specifically located between the right crus of the diaphragm and the aorta.
What is the cisterna chyli?
A thin walled dilated sac where lymph from the lower half of the body drains
It varies in size and shape and is where all the main lymphatic trunks converge.
Where does the thoracic duct travel after the aortic hiatus?
It travels into the posterior mediastinum
What area does the thoracic duct collect lymph from?
The left upper quadrant of the body
Where does the thoracic duct enter the venous system?
At the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins
At what vertebral level does the abdominal aorta begin?
T12 vertebra
At what vertebral level does the abdominal aorta end?
L4 vertebra
What are the paired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta?
- Middle suprarenal arteries
- Renal arteries
- Gonadal arteries
What are the paired parietal branches of the abdominal aorta?
- Inferior phrenic arteries
- Lumbar arteries
What do the subcostal arteries supply?
The posterior abdominal wall
What are the unpaired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta?
- Celiac trunk
- Superior mesenteric artery
- Inferior mesenteric artery
What do the tributaries of the inferior vena cava correspond to?
The paired visceral and parietal branches of the abdominal aorta
How does the left suprarenal vein drain into the inferior vena cava?
It drains directly to the left renal vein
What veins correspond to the unpaired visceral arteries?
Tributaries of the hepatic portal vein
Where do lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes in the abdomen lie?
Along the aorta, the inferior vena cava and iliac vessels
Where does lymph from the common iliac lymph nodes pass?
To the right and left lumbar lymph nodes
What nodes does lymph from the digestive tract, liver, spleen, and pancreas drain into?
Pre-aortic lymph nodes (celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric nodes)
What do lymphatic trunks from all abdominal nodes converge to form?
The beginning of the thoracic duct
What is the dilated sac sometimes seen at the beginning of the thoracic duct called?
Cisterna chyli
