Lecture on Abdominal Aorta

Introduction

• Covers the abdominal aorta
• Transition from thoracic aorta (previous lecture) to abdominal aorta
• Extends from lower border of T12 to L4
• Divides into right and left common iliac arteries
• Occasionally continues as median sacral artery

Branches of the Abdominal Aorta

Types of Branches

• Visceral Branches: Supply visceral organs
• Parietal Branches: Supply non-visceral organs

Visceral Branches

Unpaired Visceral Branches

1. Celiac Trunk
   • Associated with upper abdominal cavity organs
   • Major branches:
     • Left Gastric Artery: Supplies stomach and abdominal part of esophagus
     • Splenic Artery: Supplies spleen, pancreas (via pancreatic branches), fundus of stomach (via short gastric artery), and greater curvature of stomach (via gastro-omental artery)
     • Common Hepatic Artery: Divides into
       • Right Gastric Artery: Supplies stomach
       • Gastroduodenal Artery: Supplies stomach and duodenum
       • Proper Hepatic Artery: Supplies liver (divides into right and left branches; right branch gives off cystic artery for gallbladder)
2. Superior Mesenteric Artery
   • Supplies small intestine, cecum, and appendix
   • Main branches:
     • Inferior Pancreatoduodenal Artery
     • Middle Colic Artery
     • Right Colic Artery
     • Ileocolic Artery: Supplies ileum and appendix
3. Inferior Mesenteric Artery
   • Supplies large intestine and upper rectum
   • Main branches:
     • Left Colic Artery: Supplies descending colon and left third of transverse colon
     • Sigmoid Artery: Supplies sigmoid colon
     • Superior Rectal Artery: Supplies upper third of rectum

Paired Visceral Branches

1. Middle Suprarenal Arteries: Supply suprarenal glands
2. Renal Arteries: Supply kidneys, give off inferior suprarenal arteries and ureter branches
3. Gonadal Arteries:
   • Ovarian Arteries in females: Supply ovaries
   • Testicular Arteries in males: Supply testes
   • Both give off ureter branches

Parietal Branches

1. Inferior Phrenic Arteries: Supply diaphragm, give off superior suprarenal arteries
2. Lumbar Arteries: Supply posterior abdominal muscles, skin, and spinal cord

Anastomoses

• Marginal Artery of Drummond: Connects arteries of superior and inferior mesenteric arteries
• Anastomotic connections between ileocolic, right colic, middle colic, sigmoid, and superior rectal arteries

Summary

• Detailed discussion on branches of the abdominal aorta
• Importance of understanding blood supply to visceral and parietal regions
• Emphasis on anatomical connections and supplies to various organs