Abdominal aorta
Aorta abdominalis
- Latin synonym: Pars abdominalis aortae descendens
- Synonym: Abdominal part of descending aorta
Definition
The abdominal aorta is the portion of the descending aorta that extends within the abdominal cavity, beginning just after the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm. It descends along the ventral surface of the lumbar vertebrae and terminates by bifurcating into the external iliac arteries (to supply the hind limbs) and internal iliac arteries (to supply the pelvic organs). Along its course, it gives rise to several paired and unpaired branches that supply the abdominal organs:
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