Origin
- It is the extension of the thoracic aorta after it passes through the aortic hiatus at the level of 12th thoracic vertebra (T12)
Course
- Retroperitoneal
- Left of midline, anterior to spine
- At the level of umbilicus/4th lumbar vertebra (L4) dividing (aortic bifurcation) into the common iliac arteries
Cephalocaudal branches
- Inferior phrenic arteries
- Celiac trunk
- Middle suprarenal artery (left and right)
- Superior mesenteric artery
- Renal artery (left and right)
- Ovarian / testicular artery (left and right)
- Lumbar arteries
- Inferior mesenteric artery
- Median sacral artery
Distribution
- Paired branches: abdominal wall, paired retroperitoneal organs, gonads
- Unpaired branches: spleen, unpaired digestive organs