Lecture: blood vessels of the abdominal cavity

Arteries on the Posterior Abdominal
Wall
Aorta
Location and Description
The aorta enters the abdomen through the aortic opening
of the diaphragm in front of the 12th thoracic vertebra (Fig.
5.72). It descends behind the peritoneum on the anterior
surface of the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae. At the level
of the 4th lumbar vertebra, it divides into the two common
iliac arteries (Fig. 5.72). On its right side lie the inferior
vena cava, the cisterna chyli, and the beginning of the
azygos vein. On its left side lies the left sympathetic trunk.
The surface markings of the aorta are shown in
Figure 5.73.
Branches
?? Three anterior visceral branches: the celiac artery, superior
mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery

Three lateral visceral branches: the suprarenal artery,
renal artery, and testicular or ovarian artery
?? Five lateral abdominal wall branches: the inferior
phrenic artery and four lumbar arteries
?? Three terminal branches: the two common iliac arteries
and the median sacral artery (Fig. 5.72)
These branches are summarized in Diagram 5.1.
Common Iliac Arteries
The right and left common iliac arteries are the terminal
branches of the aorta. They arise at the level of the 4th
lumbar vertebra and run downward and laterally along the
medial border of the psoas muscle (Figs. 5.63 and 5.72).
Each artery ends in front of the sacroiliac joint by dividing
into the external and internal iliac arteries. At the bifurcation,
the common iliac artery on each side is crossed anteriorly
by the ureter (Fig. 5.72).
External Iliac Artery
The external iliac artery runs along the medial border of
the psoas, following the pelvic brim (Fig. 5.63). It gives off