The Thoracic Aorta the Abdominal Aorta

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The Thoracic Aorta TheThoracic Aorta (portion of descending aorta) descends through the thorax. Visceral branches: > pericardial - posterior pericardium > bronchial - 2 left, 1 right supplying blood to the lungs and bronchial pleurae > esophageal - esophagus > mediastinal - posterior mediastinum Parietal branches: > posterior intercostals - 9-10 pairs - anastomose around the front with anterior intercostals > superior phrenics - posterior diaphragm

The Abdominal Aorta TheAbdominal Aorta pierces diaphragm and enters abdominal cavity and is now abdominal aorta over the vertebral column. It gives off the following branches: > inferior phrenic - to supply the inferior diaphragm > celiac trunk gives off 3 branches: 1. common hepatic artery - gives off a complex group of arteries to the stomach: • right gastric artery which meets up (anastomoses) with left gastric artery to supply the lesser curvature of the stomach. • right gastroepiploic artery that meets up (anastomoses) with left gastroepiploic artery (branch of splenic artery) to supply the greater curvature of the stomach. 2. splenic artery (to spleen), 3. left gastric artery(to stomach) > superior mesenteric - to supply the midgut (duodenum to mid-transverse colon) > suprarenals - to supply the adrenal gland > renals - to supply the kidneys > gonadals - to supply the testes and ovaries > inferior mesenteric - to supply the hindgut (mid-transverse colon to rectum) > lumbar arteries - several pairs off the posterior side of the descending aorta > median sacral artery - off the posterior side of the descending aorta > common iliac arteries - where descending aorta splits at L4 to supply blood to the lower limbs, pelvic organs and lower abdominal wall.

©Sheri Amsel www.exploringnature.org Blood Vessels of the Abdominal Aorta

diaphragm right inferior phrenic left inferior phrenic celiac trunk splenic artery common hepatic artery left gastric artery leftsuprarenal artery right suprarenal artery superior mesenteric

left renal artery

right renal artery

left lumbar arteries right lumbar arteries

left gonadal artery

right gonadal artery inferior mesenteric

leftcommon iliac artery

median sacral artery right common iliac artery