Abdominal aorta Artery : Abdominal aorta The abdominal aorta and its branches . Transverse section through the middle of the first lumbar vertebra , showing the relations of the pancreas. ( Abdominal aorta labeled at bottom center . ) Latin aorta abdominalis Gray 's subject # 154 602 Source Descending aorta Branches celiac artery , superior mesenteric artery , inferior mesenteric artery MeSH A07.231.114.056.205 The abdominal aorta is a large artery in the abdominal cavity . As part of the aorta , it is a direct continuation of descending aorta ( of the thorax ) . It begins at the level of the diaphragm , crossing it via the aortic hia tus at the vertebral level of T12 . It travels down the posterior wall of the abdomen in front of the vertebral column . It thus follows the curvature of the lumbar vertebrae , that is , convex forward . The peak of this convexity is at the level of the third lumbar vertebra ( L1 ) . It runs parallel to the inferior vena cava , which is located just to the right of the abdominal aorta , and becomes smaller in diameter as it gives off branches . Branches The abdominal aorta supplies blood to much of the abdominal cavity , and usually has the following branches : inferior phrenic artery - originates just below the diaphragm , supplying it from below celiac trunk - large unpaired anterior branch superior mesenteric artery - large unpaired anterior branch , arises just below celiac trunk renal artery - large paired artery , each arising from the side of the aorta ; supplies corresponding kidney gonadal artery - paired artery ; ovarian artery in females ; testicular artery in males lumbar arteries - four arteries ( on each side of the aorta ) that supply the abdominal wall and spinal cord inferior mesenteric artery - large unpaired anterior branch median sacral artery - unpaired artery arising from the middle of the aorta at its lowest part common iliac artery - large paired artery ; terminal branch of the abdominal aorta The renal arteries usually branch from the abdominal aorta in between the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery . The aorta terminates by dividing into two branches , the left and right common iliac arteries that branch to supply blood to the lower limbs and the pelvis . Relations The abdominal aorta lies slightly to the left of the midline of the body . It is covered , anteriorly , by the lesser omentum and stomach , behind which are the branches of the celiac artery and the celiac plexus ; below these , by the lienal vein , the pancreas , the left renal vein , the inferior part of the duodenum , the mesentery , and aortic plexus . Posteriorly , it is separated from the lumbar vertebræ and intervertebral fibrocartilages by the anterior longitudinal ligament and left lumbar veins . On the right side it is in relation above with the azygos vein , cisterna chyli , thoracic duct , and the right crus of the diaphragm—the last separating it from the upper part of the inferior vena cava , and from the right celiac ganglion ; the inferior vena cava is in contact with the aorta below . On the left side are the left crus of the diaphragm , the left celiac ganglion , the ascending part of the duodenum , and some coils of the small intestine . Relationship with inferior vena cava The abominal aorta 's venous counterpart , the inferior vena cava ( IVC ) , travels parallel to it on its right side . Above the level of the umbilicus , the aorta is somewhat posterior to the IVC , sending the right renal artery travelling behind it . The IVC likewise sends its opposite side counterpart , the left renal vein , crossing in front of the aorta . Below the level of the umbilicus , the situation is generally reversed , with the aorta sending its right common iliac artery to cross its opposite side counterpart ( the left common iliac vein ) anteriorly . Important vertebral levels T12 - beginning of abdominal aorta L1 - origin of celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery ( below celiac trunk ) L2 - origin of renal arteries and gonadal arteries L3 - origin of inferior mesenteric artery L4 - end ( bifurcation ) of abdominal aorta Note - the bifurcation ( union ) of the inferior vena cava is at L5 and therefore below that of the aorta Collateral circulation The collateral circulation would be carried on by the anastomoses between the internal thoracic artery and the inferior epigastric artery ; by the free communication between the superior and inferior mesenterics , if the ligature were placed between these vessels ; or by the anastomosis between the inferior mesenteric artery and the internal pudendal artery , when ( as is more common ) the point of ligature is below the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery ; and possibly by the anastomoses of the lumbar arteries with the branches of the internal iliac artery . See also Nutcracker syndrome External links UCC Arteries of thorax , abdomen , and pelvis edit pulmonary - aorta - ascending aorta right coronary ( sinuatrial nodal , atrioventricular nodal , atrial , right marginal , posterior interventricular ) left coronary ( anterior interventricular , left circumflex , left marginal ) aortic arch - brachiocephalic - thyreoidea ima - common carotid | ( Gray 's s141 - Gray 's s143 ) DESCENDING AORTA / THORACIC AORTA : bronchial - esophageal - posterior intercostal - subcostal | ( Gray 's s153 ) ABDOMINAL AORTA : Visceral branches : celiac - left gastric - hepatic / common hepatic / proper hepatic : right gastric - gastroduodenal - right gastro-omental - superior pancreaticoduodenal - cystic splenic : pancreatic branches - arteria pancreatica magna - short gastric - left gastro-omental superior mesenteric : inferior pancreaticoduodenal - intestinal - ileocolic ( appendicular ) - right colic - middle colic - inferior mesenteric : left colic - sigmoid - superior rectal middle suprarenal - renal - inferior suprarenal - testicular / ovarian Parietal branches : inferior phrenic - lumbar - median sacral Terminal branches : common iliac - marginal - internal iliac | ( Gray 's s154 ) INTERNAL ILIAC : umbilical - superior vesical - to ductus deferens - middle vesical - inferior vesical - middle rectal - uterine - azygos of the vagina - vaginal - obturator internal pudendal : inferior rectal - perineal - artery of the urethral bulb - urethral - deep artery of the penis - dorsal artery of the penis inferior gluteal : accompanying of ischiadic nerve - crucial anastomosis iliolumbar - lateral sacral - superior gluteal | ( Gray 's s155 ) EXTERNAL ILIAC : inferior epigastric - cremasteric - deep circumflex iliac | ( Gray 's s156 ) Categories : Cardiovascular system | Abdomen In other languages : Euskara Abdominal aorta aorta abdominalis 154 602 Gray531.png The abdominal aorta and its branches . Gray1097.png Transverse section through the middle of the first lumbar vertebra , showing the relations of the pancreas. ( Abdominal aorta labeled at bottom center. ) Descending aorta celiac artery , superior mesenteric artery , inferior mesenteric artery Aorta , +Abdominal A07.231.114.056.205 