Suprarenal part of abdominal aorta

The suprarenal abdominal aorta is the segment of the abdominal aorta that extends from the diaphragm (aortic hiatus) superiorly to the level of the renal artery origins inferiorly.

Anatomic boundaries and key features:

• Superior limit: The diaphragm, where the descending thoracic aorta transitions into the abdominal aorta.

• Inferior limit: The ostia of the renal arteries, below which the infrarenal abdominal aorta begins.

• Major branches: This segment gives rise to critical visceral arteries, including the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the middle suprarenal arteries (supplying the adrenal glands), and the renal arteries at its distal margin.

The abdominal aorta is commonly divided into segments based on the relationship to the renal arteries:

• Suprarenal aorta: The segment above the renal artery origins (from the diaphragmatic hiatus to the uppermost renal artery).

• Interrenal (or juxtarenal) aorta: The segment between the two renal artery ostia. This segment is typically very short (often only a few millimeters to ~12 cm), as the renal arteries usually arise close to one another, though asymmetry in their origins is common.

• Infrarenal aorta: The segment below the lowermost renal artery origin, extending to the aortic bifurcation.